one mindanao - december 23, 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

“Paskuhan Village”

showcases Gensan’s best

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

Pops Gumana-FruylaCentral Mindanao page 4

Today’s issue...Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 Vol. 1 No. 131

Jeanevive Duron Abangan, Southern Mindanao

Omar Sabal, Central Mindanao

Coop brings Pamaskong Handog to least-fortunate

DEDoguiles, Central Mindanao

BFAR-12, SUCs to co-implement aqua-silviculture, hatchery projects

Limang taong moratorium sa pagmimina pinag-iisipan ng SP ng South Cotabato

Nora CL Molde, Caraga RegionDOH intensifies campaign against firecrackers

Military ups security after foiled kidnapping Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

ZRCO-9 announces conduct of Foreign Service Officer exams Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

NGCP extends assistance to flood victims in Cagayan de Oro and nearby areas Northern Mindanao

Steag joins relief drive for CdO flood victims Northern Mindanao

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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25

11

18

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23

27

29

32

33

13

David M. Suyao, Caraga RegionNew 402 Brigade commander asks brigade to help in PNoy’s effort for lasting peace 22

Aquino hopes to perform better in 2012; for govt to weather global economic crisis 11

30

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4 Friday, December 23, 2011ONE MINDANAO

“Paskuhan Village” showcases Gensan’s best

Cover Story

Local and foreign tourists flocked the City Government’s “Paskuhan Village” here which showcased culture, tourism and economic richness of the twenty-six barangays of the Tuna Capital.

by Pops Gumana-Fruylan

5 Friday, December 23, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

One can experience the similar excitement of a whole city tour by making a quick visit to the booths, adorned with flashing, color-ful lights and recycled items creatively turned into inter-esting Christmas decors. Near the entrance of the village, a min-iature General Santos City In-ternational Air-port highlights the booth of Ba-rangay Fatima which made at-tractive by toy cars occupying the streets and the parking lot, and the lighted air traffic con-trol tower. “It was a tiny replica of the real airport,” exclaimed Jece-lyn Joy Mipara-num, a “balik-bayan” nurse

from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Other attractions are the “Santa Nok” of Barangay Li-gaya, and the giant egg of Barangay Baluan which de-picted poultry farms as the main livelihood in the area. Santa Nok is a giant chick-en made of corn husk and


other organic materials. Coastal barangays like Bawing, Bula, Buayan, and Calumpang adorned their respective booths with a real “bangka” and fishnets. A giant shrimp made of lu-minous plastic in Bula, and the dried fish and squid for sale in Calumpang indicated the abundance of the sea in

these barangays with fish-ing as the main source of income. Eco-friendly decors also spruced-up barangays Da-diangas West, Tambler, Da-diangas East, Apopong, and Upper Labay with Christmas ornaments pieced-together by recycled plastic, empty soft drink bottles, crumpled papers, used CDs, corn husk, and a lot more. “This is very interesting because with a little imagi-nation it is possible to make


wonderful festive decora-tions while still being kind to the environment,” said Aiko, a student from Banga, South Cotabato. Barangays known for their agricultural products such as Olympog, Sinaw-al, Batomelong, Tinagacan, and San Jose also made a

giant replica of their prod-ucts and displayed some of their harvest in stalls. The tourism potentials of Barangay Conel were also displayed in the Pasku-han Village with live Santa Claus entertaining visitors beside the mini-duplicate of the Amsikong Falls. Meanwhile, infrastruc-ture developments and oth-er facilities were showcased in the booths of five other barangays through their miniature models. The malls and hotels in Lagao, the City Public Termi-nal in Dadiangas North, the Public Market in Dadiangas South, high-end subdivi-sions and towers of the two biggest television networks in the country in San Isidro, and the buildings of vehicle


companies in City Heights. This year’s Christmas celebration was anchored on the theme: “Kampeon ang Pasko sa Gensan” in reference to the personali-ties who have brought pride and honor to the city. Barangay Labangal, where the family of world boxing champ Manny Pac-quiao and other popular in-dividuals reside, put-up a

glove-shaped booth; while Barangay Katangawan has the life-sized photo of Ms. Universe 2011 third runner up, Shamcey Supsup. The “Paskuhan Village” displayed not only the rich economic potentials of Gen-san, but also housed the creativity and talents of the generals who are worthy to be called “Champions.”


Aquino welcomes arriving OFWs during annual ‘Presidential Salubong’

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally greeted Thursday returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 for the

Christmas holiday.

10 Friday, December 23, 2011

The annual “Presi-dential Salubong 2011” is in recognition of the sacrifices of Filipino mi-grant workers leaving abroad for their fami-lies and country. This year’s Salubong event has a theme: “Paskong Puno ng Pag-asa para sa Bayan at Pamilya.” Asked by reporters how he felt about per-sonally greeting arriv-ing OFWs, the President said: “Siyempre yung galak na nakabalik sa sariling bayan damang-dama mo sa kanila -- pa-god, mahaba yung mga biyahe, pero nasasabik na makita yung mga pamilya. Meron tayong nararamdaman doon sa kaligayahan nila.” The President also said it is a reminder for the government to work harder to create better opportunities here at home so that Filipinos need not leave their families to find greener pastures abroad.

The traditional Presidential Salubong, which is being done for the past 18 years, is part of the annual program of the De-partment of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) “Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs.” OFWs who won prizes from the DOLE and OWWA received cash as well as other prizes. The three winners announced by the Over-seas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were Edward Tezon, Menchie Eliseo and Car-ol Pangasian. Tezon, 44, is from Leyte who now resides in Pasig City. He has worked as a consul-tant in the United Arab Emirates for 14 years. Eliseo, 28, has been working in Kuwait for a few years. Forty-two year old Pangasian also works in Kuwait and ar-rived in the country for the Christmas break.

The winners, who arrived on three sepa-rate flights, received prizes from the gov-ernment. Each of them got a cash prize of P200,000, a gift certifi-cate worth $1,500, and another gift certificate worth P25,000 as well as a cellular phone. O r g a n i z a t i o n s helping DOLE and OWWA to carry out the program include Duty Free Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Is-lands, Globe Telecom, Banco de Oro, SM Su-permalls, Landbank of the Philippines and Mi-crosoft. Government offi-cials who joined Presi-dent Aquino Thursday were Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Ad-ministrator Carmelita Dimzon, and airport General Manager Jose Angel Honrado. (AS)


Aquino hopes to perform better in 2012; for govt to weather global economic crisis

President Benigno Aquino III said he hopes that the country emerges successful in mitigating the effects of the global economic slowdown as the Philippines enters a new year.

Asked by re-porters Thursday about his expecta-tions and wish for

the New Year, he said: “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

12 Friday, December 23, 2011

did this year. “Tapos na yung learning curve, nailagay na natin ang maraming sys-tems in place that should correct the issue with regards to making sure that corruption is being combated and more resolutions on fast-er reforms in the ju-diciary. A lot of our problems had to deal with various courts this past year.” President Aqui-no was in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Thursday af-ternoon to person-ally greet returning overseas Filipino workers during the annual “Presidential Salubong.”

The chief ex-ecutive also said he might not have a va-cation this weekend due to heavy rains in the Bicol Region and Southern Taga-log which may result to disasters. He said he will closely moni-tor the bad weather condition to avert catastrophe. According to the President he has received a weather report saying the cold front is bringing heavy rains in four provinces in the Bi-col Region---Cama-rines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Albay and this must be watched. Similar condition is also reported in

Quezon province, he said. As he closely watches these ar-eas, he said he is also continuous-ly monitoring re-lief operations and the rehabilitation of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, which were devas-tated by flashfloods last weekend. The government is also looking closely at Negros Oriental and Isabela, he said. “Bottom line, unless sure tayo na hindi magkakaroon ng pinsala mukhang on hold muna yung vacation, better luck next year na lang siguro,” he said. (AS)


Employers told to give bonus before Dec. 24by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

The Department of Labor and Employment XI (DOLE) re-

minds all employers on their obli-gation of providing their employ-ees a 13th Month Pay on or before December 24 of every year.

DOLE said the office has sus-pended its inspection program this month thus it has not monitored any establishment on their compli-ance with the 13th month pay of the workers. However, Section 8 of the Pres-idential Decree No. 851 required employers to submit a report of compliance to the nearest Regional Office not later than January 15 of each year. The report must contain the name of establishment, total em-ployment, total number of workers benefited, amount granted per em-ployee, and total amount of ben-efits granted. Regional Director of DOLE XI Joffrey Suyao urged to employ-ees who haven’t received this 13th month pay benefit to immediately report their case to any DOLE office and file a complaint.


Coop brings Pamaskong Handog to least-fortunateby Jeanevive Duron Abangan

TAGUM CITY ---- More than 200 least fortunate individuals bene-fited from the Pamaskong Handog that the Tagum Cooperative rolled out as pre-Christmas outreach project. Tagum Cooperative Vice Chair-person Nenita Malbas, chair of Edu-cation Committee said Tagum Co-operative has been into this kind of activity as part of its community in-volvement. “Three percent of the net sur-plus goes to community involve-ment and this is part of that,” Mal-bas said. Tuesday, Dec. 20, Tagum Co-operative went its way to Home for the Aged and distributed gifts to more than 50 wards. After a brief program during which some elderly rendered songs, Malbas turned over to center head Annie Rosalinda P12,000 worth of toiletries, rice and noodles. Rosalinda said the center wards feel happy whenever they are being visited. Run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Home for the Aged re-ceives elderly who are duly referred by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) with

medical certificate that “they don’t have communicable disease,” Ro-salinda said. “They must also be 60 years of age and above, abandoned,” she added. Meanwhile, Tagum Coopera-tive reached out Wednesday to 25 abandoned children of Sagop Palad Foundation in Mabini, Compostela Valley Province .A total of 132 working children in Tagum City Public Market also got their share of gifts from Tagum Co-operative. They got T-shirts, a set of toiletries and snacks. Most of these working children are students of the Palengskwela-han which the city government of Tagum City has put up so they won’t miss their studies while earning a living. Palengeskwelahan instructional manager Julia Molina said children working at the public market attend Saturday classes which make use of Alternative Learning System (ALS) modules designed by the Department of Education (DepEd). Molina was hopeful that Tagum Cooperative would also extend sav-ing consciousness among the work-ing children after the holiday season.


regional gallery

Soldiers load relief goods to a waiting military truck at the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office XI. The relief drive for the victims of tropical storm Sendong is spearhead-ed by a group of young lawyers with the support of the PIA-XI and the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command.


NFA cancels party in favor of Sendong victimsby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Employees of the National Food Authority in Soccsksargen Region have canceled their Christmas party in favor of the flood victims in Northern Mindanao.


Instead, they decided to donate the amount for the evacuees from Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, and other areas affected by typhoon Sendong.

NFA South Cotabato assistant manager An-gelina Lucena said they have saved about P8,000 for the assistance.

They have also agreed to contribute used cloth-ing, food items, and oth-er materials to the relief operations.

Other NFA field offices in the entire region have also decided not to hold Christmas parties.

“NFA-South Cotabato will not allocate rice for

the relief operation be-cause we are not autho-rized to donate,” Lucena clarified. “All rice dona-tions that will be included will come from personal contributions of employ-ees.”

Meanwhile, the em-ployees of the Depart-ment of Labor and Em-ployment in the region are also gathering relief items.

DOLE-12 regional di-rector Ma. Gloria Tango said they are consolidat-ing donations from DOLE employees until Friday.

She added, they have not allocated any amount from their official funds,

instead, agreed to shell out some amount from the bonuses they re-ceived recently.

Koronadal City and South Cotabato LGUs are also collecting dona-tions.

According to the Na-tional Disaster Risk Re-duction Management Council situational report 15 released 6:00 a.m. yesterday, Sendong has affected 92,964 families across seven regions, namely: Regions, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, Caraga, and ARMM.

Number of deaths has been placed at 1,010.


BFAR-12, SUCs to co-implement aqua-silviculture, hatchery projectsby Omar Sabal

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Top executives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 12 (BFAR 12) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Soccsksargen Region recenty signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which binds stakeholders in cooperation for the implementation of aqua-silviculture projects and multi-species hatchery in some coastal areas in the Region.

Signatories of the agreement were BFAR 12 Regional Director Sani D. Macabalang to-gether with Chancel-lor Atty. Abdurrahman Canacan of Mindanao State University- Gen-eral Santos Campus and Dr. Teresita L. Cambel of Sultan Kudarat State University.

Aqua-silviculture is a system of rearing and growing fish and other aquatic organisms in enclosed sections within mangrove areas.

Director Macabalang said, the project intends “to maximize use of the mangroves in addition to the benefits we get from them as natural buffers against incoming strong waves, breeding

grounds and shelter for fish and other aquatic organisms, and source of food and other neces-sities of human beings.”

He said that the proj-ect is programmed to rehabilitate denuded mangrove forests while promoting Aqua-silvi-culture technology as

supplemental source of income for the fisher-folk.

“Aqua-silviculture is known to be an effec-tive means to reverse unproductive, under-utilized and abandoned fishpond areas into its former pristine condi-tion,” Macabalang said.


Funds are now ready for allocation for the identified areas includ-ing ten hectares of man-grove in General Santos City, 30 ha in Maasim, Sarangani Province, and 340 ha in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Meanwhile, a total of P1.2 M will also be obli-gated for a multi-species

hatchery which forms part of the whole pack-age and will be identi-fied soon in the target areas.

The community and local governments are enjoined to actively par-ticipate in all these un-dertakings to ensure ef-fective and sustainable implementation of the

project. In the process, fisherfolk are empowered to plan for themselves and get involved in more productive activities for social development.

Replication of similar intervention is now being considered especially in some potential areas in the Region.(BFAR-12/DEDoguiles)

Limang taong moratorium sa pagmimina pinag-iisipan ng SP ng South CotabatoKORONADAL CITY -- Kasunod ng trahedyang nangyari sa Iligan City at Cagayan de Oro City at iba pang bahagi ng Northern Mindanao, pinag-iisipan ngayon ng mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng South Cotabato ang pagdedeklara ng limang taong moratorium sa pagmimina sa buong lalawigan.

Kinumpirma ito ni Board Member Agus-tin Demaala sa isang panayam sa isang ista-syon ng radyo sa Kor-onadal.

Aniya sa pamamagi-tan nito ipagbabawal ang pagmimina, pati na ang logging at pa-mumutol ng kahoy sa alinmang bahagi ng lalawigan na tinutu-koy na dahilan ng il-ang kalamidad tulad ng tradhedyang nagyari sa

Northern Mindanao. Paliwanag pa ni De-

maala alinsunod ito ng kautusan ni Pangulong Benigno III na total

log ban na naglalayong maprotektahan ang natitirang kagubatan sa buong bansa.

Sa ganitong paraan, maililigtas ang mama-mayan sa probinsiya na mga sakuna tulad ng flash flood at land-slide.

Mababawasan din nito ang epekto ng climate change, ayon kay Demaala. (DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)


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PIA-6 employees extend financial aid to PIA-10 employees flashflood victimsby Robert E. Roperos

Employees from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region VI through Regional Director, Atty. Janet Mesa extended financial assistance to employees of PIA Region X who are among the

victims of flashflood that recently hit Northern Mindanao due to typhoon “Sendong”.


According to Dir. Abner M. Caga, North-eastern Mindanao Information Cluster Head and concurrent Regional Director of PIA-Caraga and North-ern Mindanao, Mesa called and informed him that employees of PIA-VI unanimous-ly decided to give fi-nancial assistance to affected employees of PIA Northern Min-danao who were vic-tims of flashflood, whose houses were now covered by mud. Caga added the

move of PIA VI em-ployees is commend-able considering that they feel the burden experienced by vic-tims of the deadly and destructive flashflood in Northern Mindan-ao. “What the em-ployees of PIA Region VI did showed that they have that golden hearts who feel for the victims of the flash-flood,” Caga said. On Wednesday evening, the finan-cial assistance was officially handed to

the victims at the Re-gional Office of PIA Northern Mindanao, this city, witnessed by PIA Central Office personnel headed by Staff Director Nilo Ma-maclay of the Region-al Operations Division and employees of PIA Caraga who were de-ployed here to aug-ment the personnel complement of PIA Northern Mindanao in time with the visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III here and in Iligan City on Tues-day.


New 402 Brigade commander asks brigade to help in PNoy’s effort for lasting peaceby David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR – The new 402nd Infantry Brigade Commander, Col. Ronald Abano, formally sworn office following the turn over ceremony at the 402 Brigade headquarters in New Leyte, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Abano replaced Col. James Jacob, who was tem-porarily assigned after reb-els raided Taganito Mining in Claver, Surigao del Norte re-cently. According to 4th Infan-try Division Assistant Com-mander and former 402nd brigade commander Gen. Emeliano Gupana, the turn over ceremony marks a sig-nificant, more responsive oc-casion in the army to become attuned to the ever changing times of the operational con-

dition of Caraga Region in particular. As response, Albano said he will follow all orders of the higher command, es-pecially the Commander-in-Chief. “As a good soldier standing before you, I am here to pursue our goal with determination in this new area of responsibility. I there-fore ask the men and wom-en of 402nd Brigade that we move in unison to achieve our mission to make the area

peaceful and productive. Let us be one in helping our Commander-in-Chief, Pres. Aquino for his efforts for a lasting peace. With this, I am accepting the challenge with new hope to answer the new call of duty as a professional soldier,” Albano said. Albano is not new to Caraga Region. He was once a battalion commander of the 30th Infantry Battalion based in Surigao del Norte, and he said he is familiar with Caraga Region.


New 402 Brigade commander asks brigade to help in PNoy’s effort for lasting peace

DOH intensifies campaign against firecrackersby Nora CL Molde

The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga is intensifying its campaign to reduce and eliminate firecracker-related injuries during the holiday season.

DOH-CHD Caraga through its regional di-rector Dr. Leonita P. Gorgolon called for the support of the public to strengthen their cam-paign for this year, en-titled ‘APIR!’ According to Gor-golon, their office will

adopt ‘APIR’ which stands for “Aksyon: Pap-utok Injury Reduction,” a campaign strategy to prevent injuries from firecrackers by advocat-ing precautionary mea-sures to prevent using it and adopt alternative ways in celebrating a

joyful holiday season. The word APIR was coined from “up here” part of “high-five” or “give me five” greeting used in the US. The campaign uses healthy hands as a symbol, in contrast to a mangled or injured


hand. The campaign ad-vocates five reminders to prevent injury from firecrackers and five simple alternative tips and ways to spend the New Year’s Eve, DOH added. The five remind-ers include: mapan-ganib ang paggamit ng

paputok (firecrackers are dangerous), lahat ng paputok ay bawal sa bata (firecrackers are not intended for kids), lumayo sa mga taong nagpapaputok (go far from a person using a firecracker/s), huwag mamulot ng di sumabog na paputok

(don’t pick up unex-ploded firecracker/s), and magpagamot agad kapag naputukan (seek immediate medication once injured with a firecracker/s). The five simple al-ternative tips and ways are: itaguyod at mak-ilahok sa Community Fireworks Display (pur-sue and join Commu-nity Fireworks Display), magdiwang ng ligtas kasama ang pamilya (celebrate with fam-ily safely), lumikha ng ingay gamit ang ibang bagay tulad ng torotot, busina, musika, lata, at iba pa (create noise us-ing other things), mak-isaya sa ibang paraan tulad ng street party, concert, palaro, at iba pa (enjoy the celebra-tion by attending par-ties, concerts, etc.), and matuto sa mga aral ng nakaraan at magsimula nang maayos na buhay sa Bagong Taon (learn from previous experi-ences and start a good life this New Year).


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City government sets up relief operations center; transport sector to give donations to flood victimsby Gideon C. Corgue

Greatest concerns for the flood victims in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan has been felt by various organizations and individuals here by

putting up relief assistance centers.


On Saturday, the day when one of the country’s most destruc-tive typhoon Sendong struck the two major cities in Northern Mind-anao – Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the provin-cial government of Zam-boanga del Sur quickly setting up relief op-eration’s center dubbed “Operation Tabang’” ng mga Biktima sa Bagyong Sendong at the lobby of the capitol and another relief center of Our Lady of Fatima church in ba-rangay Balangasan was also put up. On Wednesday, Mayor Samuel Co has ordered the city social welfare and develop-ment office to set up di-saster operation’s cen-ter at the lobby of the executive function hall

whose sole purpose is to help the flood victims. Social welfare offi-cer IV June Gayapa said the chief executive has set up disaster center to facilitate donations from people who want to help and support the flood victims in this time of need. During the launch-ing of the center, 3 big boxes of used clothings were donated by Luna Tejano of Lumbia dis-trict, Gayapa said who personally manned the center. Gayapa is appeal-ing to the generous people especially the employees, barangay officials, businessmen, and etc. to give heartily for flood victims. ”The city govern-ment is appealing to

everyone to give dona-tions and help ease the suffering of the people ,” Gayapad said. Gayapa suggested the donors to donate in-stant noodles, canned foods, bottled water, mats, blankets as the priority needs of the flood-striken vcitims. Meanhile, city councilor Arnold Gav-enia, chairman of the committee on motor-ized tricylce franchising and regulatory board (MTFRB) of the Sann-guniang Panlungsod has called a meeting to the 23 presidents of the tri-cylce associations in his office and discussed the tranport sectors’ move for helping the flood vic-tims. Gavenia said the tricycle association


Military ups security after foiled kidnappingby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) intensified its security in far-flung schools in the city after the foiled kidnapping of three teachers of Limaong Elementary School, east of the city, last week.

presidents unanimous-ly agreed to extend fi-nancal help and to give usable clothes for each driver. ”If we can collect the used clothings from the 2,850 drivers, we will immediatley send it to the affected families in various evacuation centes,” Gavenia add-ed. Gavenia requested

the drivers to send their donation in his office at the Legislative Building. Pag-IBIG Fund manager Ibrahim Laja-rato with his team on Wednesday made a visit with their branch office in Cagayan de Oro and turned-over their goods and supplies. Today, the team proceeded to Iligan City and turned-over anoth-

er goods and supplies to branch manager Ferdi-nand Saniel Lajarato said their office has set aside an amount from the fund they cntributed during their Christmas party and bought goods and supplies for the flood victims in the said cit-ies. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)

Task Force Chief Col. Buenaventura Pas-cual said they have added more troops to prevent another kidnap-ping attempt on teach-ers assigned in the city’s outskirts and island ba-rangays. Pascual revealed that it was the second attempt to kidnap teach-ers of the said school.


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“Actually, it was the second attempt on the teachers of that school”, he said, adding that the first attempt was just three months ago. “Last September 15, alert CAFGU and CVO members seized the suspects pump boats but they were able to escape using another boat”, Pascual furthered. Earlier, Zamboan-ga City Division Schools Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad sus-pended classes in the said school until securi-

ty measures are put in place. Col. Pascual imme-diately met with Nativi-dad and informed him of the actions taken to ensure the safety of the teachers. Task Force Zam-boanga is still investi-gating the incident to pinpoint the suspects. Pascual, however, be-lieves the suspects may be from the area. “We are still trying to investigate and iden-tify who are these ab-ductors. I believe they are residents of the area as they cover their

faces with bonnets to avoid being identified”, Pascual pointed. Col. Pascual also informed Superinten-dent Natividad of the in-tensified security mea-sures in the islands of Pangapuyan, Sacol and Manalipa, all vulnerable to kidnappers and ban-dits. “We are adding more troops, CAFGUs, and CVOs in the island barangays and outlying communities to secure the teachers and the residents as well”, Pas-cual said. (JPA/MVC/PIA-ZBST)


ZRCO-9 announces conduct of Foreign Service Officer exams

by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY - The Zamboanga Regional Consular Office (ZRCO) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) based in Zamboanga City is now inviting all interested applicants for the 2012 Foreign Service Officer (FSO) examinations.

ZRCO officer in-charge Judith Nohay-de Fiesta said the FSO ex-aminations consist of a qualifying test, prelimi-nary interview, written test, psychological test, and oral test. The qualifying test, which covers English grammar and correct us-age, reading comprehen-sion, logical reasoning, quantitative reasoning/data interpretation and leadership/knowledge of management concepts,

is slated to be held on February 19, 2012 in the following testing centers, namely: Baguio City, Ca-gayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao, City, Iloi-lo City, General Santos City, Legazpi City, Lu-cena City, Metro Manila, San Fernando City, Pam-panga, Tacloban City and Zamboanga City. Candidates must obtain a passing grade of at least 80% in the qualifying test in order to qualify for the prelimi-

nary interview which is scheduled on March 31, 2012. Graduates of any degree programs are qualified to apply for the FSO examinations pro-vided they are Filipino citizens and should not be more than 35 years old on February 19, 2012. Application forms can be downloaded from DFA website, www.dfa.gov.ph. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)


Pres. Aquino orders DTI to impose price freeze on basic commodities in calamity areasby Rutchie Cabahug-AguhobUnscrupulous

businessmen had better think twice before

increasing the prices of the products they sell or they may face criminal or administrative charges for violating the price freeze on basic commodities.

This, as President Benigno S. Aquino III, declared a national state of calamity making mandatory the imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities, which is among the provisions of Republic Act No. 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. In Northern Mindanao, two (2) of its nine (9) cities, were badly hit by ‘Sendong,’ namely Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental and

Iligan City in Lanao del Norte. When the President was in the city, the other day, for his personal assessment of ther devastations, he took note of reports that some basic necessities, like bottled drinking


water and canned goods are no longer available in the stalls. As reported by Secretary Dinky Soliman, who was the President at that time, they had already mobilized Region 11, Davao and Region 13, Caraga for procurement of such items and already on their way to the city by land. “Dagdag ho yun sa pinadala na naming mga (Those are augmentation) for the food and non-food items, which we sent through the C130 cargo plane of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), last Dec. 18,” Soliman said. Meanwhile, Atty. Fel Lester Brillantes, Legal Officer of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Misamis Oriental, said the declaration of a state of calamity makes mandatory the immediate undertaking of the following remedial measures by the concerned price council member-agencies as defined in RA 10121: Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the President upon the recommendation of the implementing agency as provided for under Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the “Price Act”, or the National Price Coordinating Council. Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council of overpricing/profiteering and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and

petroleum products.Programming/reprogramming of funds for the repair and safety upgrading of public infrastructures and facilities. Granting of no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions to the most affected section of the population through their cooperatives or people’s organizations. As to effects, Brillantes said the President’s declaration may warrant international humanitarian assistance as deemed necessary. It also sets the Price Coordinating Council, both national and local, to convene immediately, to impose an automatic price control or freezing of prices of basic necessities listed under R.A. 7581 or the Price Act. The freeze will remain effective for the duration of the condition that brought it for about but not more than 60 days. Paragraph 1, Sec. 6 of the said law states that “Unless otherwise declared by the President, prices of basic necessities in the area shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices in places under automatic price control, whenever that area is proclaimed or declared disaster area or under state of calamity. And any person who shall violate the price control mandated by law may face criminal or administrative charges, Brillantes added.


NGCP extends assistance to flood victims in Cagayan de Oro and nearby areasCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Water and electricity are the two (2) basic utilities that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is providing the victims of the flash floods which hit Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday.

Complementing its efforts to provide power transmission services across the country, NGCP has made possible the immediate commissioning of a water pump at its Cagayan de Oro Substation to provide clean and safe water supply to the residents of Barangay Carmen and nearby areas. With the help of First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO), NGCP also hauled a generator set from its Maramag Substation to Macasanding, Cagayan de Oro. Said genset was used by a private entity to generate

water from a deepwell which was made available to the public free of charge. Spending more time and resources to relief operations, NGCP also cancelled its Christmas parties at its District 3 (Northcentral M i n d a n a o ) and District 6 ( S o u t h w e s t e r n Mindanao) offices to use funds in

purchasing relief goods and donations to the flood victims. Operation and Maintenance Mindanao regional head Emmanuel D. Abellanosa and district head Jesselito P. Abamonga are spearheading the efforts of NGCP on the field to offer help to affected communities. In a related development, NGCP has also allowed its hangar space in Cagayan de Oro to be used by local authorities who are administering forensic examinations on the deceased. In the spirit of giving and


NGCP extends assistance to flood victims in Cagayan de Oro and nearby areas

sharing this season, employees based at the Head Office in Quezon City have collected voluntary cash contributions amounting to Php178,980.00 in addition to forty-five (45) boxes of relief goods and clothes (as of December 22, 2011). These donations from employees were immediately forwarded to NGCP’s Mindanao Regional Office in Iligan City for distribution.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating and maintaining the country’s electric power grid. As a responsible corporation, NGCP not only provides reliable electricity transmission services, but also assists communities hosting its lines and substations especially during times of emergencies.


Steag joins relief drive for CdO flood victimsCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Energy firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) joins the on-going relief efforts for the thousands of families affected by the flash flood that hit Cagayan de Oro City over the weekend.

SPI President and CEO Dr. Bodo Goerlich said he is deeply sad by the tragedy as he conveys his deepest condolences especially to families who have lost their loved ones. “We’re deeply saddened by this calamity and we’d like to express our sympathy especially for those who have lost their loved ones” Dr. Goerlich said. SPI has mobilized its corporate volunteers and equipment to ease the burden of those that were affected. For several days now, SPI’s firetruck has been deployed to various evacuation centers for the much needed water supply. In-kind donations were also mobilized from SPI personnel to provide immediate relief to the victims. The company has released PhP 1 million for the procurement of blankets, slippers, sleeping mats and medicines for distribution to the affected families. “We are now working closely with the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the City Social Welfare Office for the distribution of these relief items” Steag spokesperson Jerome Soldevilla said

in a statement. Together with Xavier University’s Sustainable Sanitation Center, SPI is also putting up waterless toilets and urinals to address the looming sanitation problem in the major evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro City. The facility uses the Urine Dehydration Technology (developed in Germany) and is designed to address sanitation problems in water less communities. “The UDDT toilets would certainly provide the solution to the looming sanitation problem especially at the West City Central School in Carmen where 2,500 families are currently evacuated” says Fr. Nathan Lerio of the Archdiocesan Social Action Center.

Steag joins relief drive for CdO flood victims

one mindanao - december 23, 2011

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