From Batang-Kalabaw to BATANG MALAYA

DOLE, Public-Private Partners Emancipate 30 Child Log Haulers

24 July 2012,

 Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte— 30 indigenous child workers from Barangay Bagang, Jabonga,  earning the notorious monicker batang kalabaw , discovered hauling logs for a meager fee by Goldstar journalist Ben Serrano and reported to DOLE-Caraga last April,  have finally been emancipated from the worst form of child labor, said DOLE-Caraga Chief Ofelia B. Domingo in her report to Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz, who is closely monitoring the situation of the child workers since she received the report two months ago. Domingo  gave the report right after the turnover ceremony held at the Barangay Baleguian Gymnasium, Jabonga, for the school supplies, educational assistance checks, and carabaos awarded to the parents of the batang kalabaw, in exchange for freeing their children from the hazardous work, and sending them back to school where they belong.

DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Standards and Social Protection Lourdes M. Trasmonte awarded the carabaos on behalf of Secretary Baldoz.. The turnover was also witnessed by Country Director Jeff Laurence Johnson of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Bureau of Workers With Special Concerns (BWSC) Chief Chit  DG. Cilindro, and Director Nikon Fameronag of the Labor Communications Office (LCO).

“This is a result of the concerted efforts of convergence between DOLE-Caraga, Agusan Norte Governor Erlpe John. M. Amante, 2^nd District Congresswoman Angel Rosedell A. Matba, and the tremendous support of other regional line agencies and private organizations”, Domingo said in her report.

DOLE-Caraga awarded 5 working carabaos as livelihood assistance, while Gov. Amante and Cong. Matba each donated 5 carabaos, for a total of 15 carabaos to be utilized by the  20 families of the child workers. Of the 15 carabaos, 8 male species were  released yesterday to be used for plowing and transporting of heavy loads, transportation, etc.., while the remaining 7 female carabaos to be used as a source for milk and other dairy products are scheduled to be awarded on August next month. RD Domingo emphasized to the parents during her presentation of the rationale that these carabaos must be utilized as a means of livelihood, farming and transportation, and not to slaughter and sell the meat, which a common practice in the barangay. She warned them that a team will be monitoring the status of the carabaos regularly.

Two notable private organizations also poured in their generous share of support to the project. People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and Caraga Family Welfare Council, Inc. (CFWCI) each pledged a total of P 20,000 (P 5,000 to be released every quarter) to be given to the children, through DOLE, as educational assistance to defray the expenses of the children in school. DOLE-Caraga also distributed school supplies to the child workers.

“We must ensure that these children will be sent back to school and we must do everything we can to prevent them from engaging in laborious work again” Usec Trasmonte said in her message to the public and private partners.

Usec Trasmonte also urged the stakeholders to look into an alternative learning system for the children to sustain their education, given the situation that Barangay Bagang is located in a remote part of Jabonga, kilometers away from the nearest school in town, a factor which could affect the children’s interest in pursuing their education.

The parents of the batang kalabaw  were made to sign a memorandum of cooperation translated into their dialect so they could understand that they are signing a  commitment not to allow their children to engage in hard labor again, and to utilize the carabaos as a sustainable means of livelihood.

A memorandum of agreement was signed after the turnover ceremony, by the regional line agencies and private organizations who have committed to support the “Angel Tree” project, and the department’s campaign for Child Labor Prevention and Elimination, to wit:  Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Local Government Unit of Jabonga, People Management Association of the Philippines, Caraga Family Welfare Council, Inc., Provincial Local Government Unit of Agusan Del Norte, and the 2^nd Congressional District of Agusan Del Norte.

(L-R) Emerita Bogcal, Jean Ali, Jamayla Angela Cabale, Hannah Catucag, Belle Colleen Bato, Elmia Hussin Sailadin, Analine Mansabid, Jehan Kartini Andan, Shenley Caba, Ajema Malatus)

The official candidates and their respective tribes are:

• Emerita Bogcal (Ata Tribe),
• Jean Ali (Maguindanao Tribe),
• Jamayla Angela Cabale (Tagabawa Bagobo Tribe),
• Hannah Catucag (Kagan Tribe),
• Belle Colleen Bato (Bagobo K’lata),
• Elmia Hussin Sailadin (Sama Tribe),
• Analine Mansabid (Matigsalog Tribe),
• Jehan Kartini Andan (Tausug Tribe),
• Shenley Caba (Obu Manuvu Tribe),
• Ajema Malatus (Maranao Tribe)

Hiyas sa Kadayawan Talent Night will be on Aug. 15, 6pm at Gaisano Mall of Davao
Hiyas sa Kadayawan Finals will be on Aug. 17, 6pm at the Davao City Recreation Center

PCSO LOTTO RESULTS - 2012 - AUGUST 12

 

August 12, 2012 Lotto Results

Super Lotto 6/49
36-22-23-33-24-39
Jackpot Prize: Php 24,126,303.60
In any order
Consolation prizes: P56,000 for 5 winning numbers, P1000 for 4 and P100 for 3.

Swertres 3 Digit
11:00 am: 6-0-8
4:00 pm: 0-2-4
9:00 pm: 1-6-9
In exact order
P4,500 per ten-peso play

Two Digit EZ2 Lotto
11am: 29-20
4pm: 25-22
9pm: 26-01
In exact order
P4,000.00 per ten-peso play

ARMM officials light lanterns for peace amid armed conflict

PARANG, Maguindanao, Aug. 10 (PNA) -- Officials of the Autonomous Regional in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) lighted 200 "lanterns for peace" Thursday here at the first station of the Padang Padang Adventure Park.

“With so many things that are happening in the region, people caught in crossfire, may Allah accept our prayers for peace in ARMM,” Tourism Secretary Nawal Nasreena Sampaco, as she led officials in praying for peace in the troubled region.
The lighting of lanterns for peace came about as skirmishes between Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and military forces broke out in Datu Unsay, Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak on Monday, leaving 10 people killed and about 28,000 people displaced.
Parang Municipal Mayor Ibrahim Ibay said that peace may reign in everyone’s heart and stop the armed-combats as Muslims are observing the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
"We pray for peace and we believed peace can be attained when there is peace in ourselves," he said.
Amihilda Sangcopan-Abdulkarim, ARMM chief-of-staff, said she was saddened by the events unfolding in Maguindanao when people should be at their homes praying and meditating since its fasting month.
“As we light these lanterns, we offer our prayers to let peace reign in the region,” Abdulhakim added.
Armed conflicts will knock down the tourism in the region, Mayor Ibay said. The preliminary show-off of the Padang Padang Adventure Park is very timely to lift its tourism, he added.
The said adventure park features a one kilometer zip line. It is a first of its kind in the entire ARMM.
“Parang is very easy to sell tourism-wise because it’s a very beautiful place,” Ibay said.

Regional Legislative Assembly Speaker Rasol Mitmug Jr. also urged the regional legislators to pass legislation that support such efforts as he said “through this effort, we are generating jobs, thus boosting the economy the ARMM.” (PNA)

AFP, PNP retake Maguindanao highway from Moro rebels

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao, Aug. 10 (PNA) – Government forces recaptured Friday portions of the Cotabato-Gen. Santos highway occupied by Moro rebels and declared it open.

Col. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, and Maguindanao police provincial director Senior Supt. Marcelo Pintac, led government forces in crossing the villages of Iginagampong, Meta and Maitumaeg, all in Datu Unsay, which about 500 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have occupied for five days.
Dela Cruz said there was no more resistance from the rebels' side when ground troops backed by armored personnel carrier combed the five kilometer stretch of the highway at about 6 a.m. Friday.
After clearing the area of possible booby traps and explosives, the military declared the highway open for public commuters.
Dela Cruz said enough forces were deployed as road security "to ensure the safety of the public.”
However, Dela Cruz said the highway will be closed to traffic from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. because the BIFF forces who have employed guerrilla warfare could strike anytime.
At least 20 BIFF forces were killed in fierce firefight Wednesday and Thursday when the military, taking orders from 6th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, conducted “surgical operations and punitive actions.”
Dela Cruz said he based the casualty figure of BIFF to body counts seen by ground troops and civilians in areas where they were buried by their comrades.
“We are still assessing the situation, we are yet to decide when we will allow the return of evacuees,” he told reporters.
He said the BIFF forces have fled deep into the marshland during the two-day massive military offensives and clearing operations.
On Sunday night, about 500 fully armed men, under Commander Ustadz Calarianm BIFF chief of staff, simultaneously launched attacks on Army detachments in Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi and Datu Piang to avenge the death of a BIFF member in the hands of the military.

Following the opening of the highway, relief workers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have intensified their own "offensive operation," that is relief goods distribution to about 33,000 internally displaced persons in Maguindanao's 11 towns. (PNA)

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte defends gay pageant in Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival

Mayor Sara Duterte has come to the defense of the gay community in Davao City and has refused to cancel the Miss Gay Universe Pageant from the line-up of major activities of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival 2012.

City Councilor Berino Mambo-o, who represents the Indigenous People in the City Council, had assailed the gay pageant as lacking in essence to be part of the Kadayawan, the annual festival in celebration of the city’s culture and tradition.

MUST VIEW

Miss Gay – Funny Video – YouTube

ALSO READ:

Warning: Never make fun of gays in Davao City

Gays get protection from Davao City government …

Ms. Gay Universe Pageant in Kadayawan Festival will … –

Sun.Star

POLICE COLONEL IS HIGHEST RANKING GAY IN PHILIPPINE …

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte invites rebels to join Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival

---

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 6 (PNA) -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio invited members of the New People's Army (NPA) to join the celebration of the 27th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival that started Friday.
“The call for peace is always there. So the communist rebels are welcome to join us during the festivities," she said.
In previous Kadayawan festivals, Duterte-Carpio had also invited the rebels headed by Kumander Leoncio 'Parago' Pitao, leader of the NPA First Pulang Bagani Command operating in the boundaries of Davao City, Bukidnon and Davao del Norte.
Parago is based in the far-flung mountain district of Paquibato in Davao City.
It is not the first time the local executive has extended invitation to the rebel group to join the yearly celebration which attracts both local and foreign tourists.
Brig. Gen. Ariel B. Bernardo, chief of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO)assured the local executive to provide necessary assistance to ensure a peaceful celebration.

They stressed that they will arrest anyone who are out to disrupt the celebration.(PNA)

ARMM governor condemns Maguindanao attack by Bangsamoro rebels

---

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 6 (PNA) –- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman on Monday strongly condemned the aggression that is taking place in the towns of Datu Unsay, Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao involving a breakaway rebel group.
Hataman issued the statement on Monday after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a group that broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), attacked three Maguindanao towns.
The BIFF led by Ustadz Amiril Umbra Kato broke away from the MILF in December 2009.
The military reported that the BIFF simultaneously attacked five Army detachments in Maguindanao around 11:30 p.m. Sunday but no one was reported injured.
The attack, however, prompted the Army’s 6th Infantry Division to temporarily close the Cotabato-General Santos highway as the troops have launched clearing operations following Sunday evening’s attack.
“The act is especially reprehensible during this time of the Holy Month of Ramadhan, when devout Muslims are in the observance of fasting and are supposed to exercise utmost restraint. It is an utter disrespect of Islamic values and of the lives of countless civilians who will have to endure the effects of conflict even in the midst of the holy month,” Hataman said.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to help stop this latest round of violence in the province and prevent its possible escalation,” he added.
He said the BIFF should uphold Islamic values and respect for civilian lives more than any other interest and to exhaust peaceful means to address valid grievances.

He also appealed to the peace panels of both the government and the MILF not to get distracted “by this isolated incident and allow it to affect the encouraging gains in the peace process.” (PNA)

SENATOR VILLAR SAYS no need to formalize LP-NP-NPC coalition

---

MANILA, Aug. 6 (PNA) – Saying the coalition of the ruling Liberal Party, Nacionalist People’s Coalition and Nacionalista Party is good as approved, Senator Manny Villar said on Monday that the alliance for 2013 mid-term elections requires no further formality.
”We are not waiting any formality. Our assumption was there is no more hindrances to the coalition except for minor problems in the local level,” Villar said.
Villar made this comment as the NP president swore in Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez as newest NP member on Monday afternoon at the senator’s office.
”Traditionally, many Romualdezes are affiliated with NP. I hope I served better with my affiliation to the NP,” the Tacloban mayor, who is seeking reelection next year, said.
The swear in of Romualdez was witnessed by his wife Cristina Gonzales and NP senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ferdinand ‘Bong-Bong’ Marcos and Antonio ‘Sonny’ Trillanes IV.
Alan Peter Cayetano and Trillanes are two of the four NP candidates for senators in 2013. Others are Villar’s wife former congresswoman Cynthia Villar and former congressman Robert ‘Ace’ Barbers.
The LP of President Benigno S. Aquino III and NPC of businessmen Danding Cojuangco have yet to formally announce their respective candidates though some names have already cropped as possible sentoriables. These are former Senator Ramon ‘Jun’ Magsaysay Jr., Rep. Erin Tanada, Rep. Sonny Angara, Customs commissioner Rufino Biazon. (PNA)
RMA/jfm

RENEWED MINDANAO FIGHTING WILL NOT AFFECT GPH-MILF PEACE TALKS

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO IDENTIFY 'NO MINING ZONES'

---

MANILA, Aug. 6 (PNA) -- The government will delineate the no-go zones listed in President Benigno Aquino III's Executive Order 79 on responsible mining.
Environment chief Ramon Paje said such move aims to help guide potential investors on where in the country they can venture into mining.
"We want them to be informed accordingly," he said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as well as other agencies concerned are among sources of inputs for the map.
"All tourism destinations defined by Department of Tourism are closed to mining," Paje said.
Also closed to mining are prime agricultural land and fisheries areas identified by the Department of Agriculture, he continued.
EO 79 likewise lists as no-go mining zones other critical and impact areas, island eco-systems as well as areas enumerated under Sec. 19 of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995).
DENR-monitored protected areas (PAs)established under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) are also among the no-go mining zones.
EO 79 requires such zones to be defined and delineated under government's integrated map system.
"Current and existing efforts to create an integrated map system for the common and uniform use of all government agencies and instrumentalities shall include all mining-related maps such as, but not limited to, mining tenement maps, geo-hazard and multi-hazard maps, ancestral lands and domains and PAs under NIPAS among others," President Aquino said in EO 79.
Government decided establishing such system to help guide planning and decision-making processes.
Opposition to mining continues with parties warning that this extractive activity, as experienced in the Philippines, is environmentally destructive and not pro-people.
"There must be a paradigm shift - we musn't look at mining's potential revenues only but should also consider its impact on the environment and people," said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, recipient of the 2012 Goldman Prize for his work on protecting Mindoro Island from mining.
Paje reiterated the administration's commitment to promote responsible mining."This government will never sacrifice the environment for profit," he said.
He urged all sectors to join government in its campaign for responsible mining nationwide.
"EO 79 will do much in promoting transparency in mining," he also said.
Paje reported earlier that he has ordered the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to upload in its website information on mining laws and contracts nationwide so people can have the opportunity to scrutinize these.
"Doing so will help reduce opportunities for corruption," he said.
Data MGB released last month show 30 metallic mines operated in the country during 2012's first quarter.

MGB also reported preliminary data show gross production value in large-scale metallic mining then reached some P18.5 billion. (PNA)

Army repulses attacks by breakaway Moro rebs in Maguindanao

UMBRA KATO

By Ben Cal

---

MANILA, Aug. 6 (PNA) -– Government forces Monday repulsed overnight attacks simultaneously launched by renegade Moro rebels against government forces in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, the Philippine Army said.
“We repulsed them,” Maj. Harold Cabunoc, Army spokesman, told the Philippines News Agency.
He was referring to the Bangsa Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
On the other hand, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles strongly condemned “the unprovoked and senseless attacks of the BIFM.”
Deles said Ustadz Carialan, BIFM chief of staff, orchestrated the attacks in Talayan, Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao; and in Midsayap in North Cotabato.
In a statement, Deles said “the attacks initiated by this lawless group during Ramadhan only demonstrate their disrespect for this holy month of our Muslim faithful, and their disregard for innocent lives that can be displaced or lost during their irrational assaults.”
“The BIFM is not part of the MILF, and thus is not covered by any ceasefire agreement,” she added.
The BIFM, formerly known as Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), is led by Ameril Umbra Kato.
Deles said that Umbra Kato, “together with his followers, was dissociated from the MILF who declared him as a ‘bougat or one who defies or does not obey an order.’”
After the MILF disowned Kato, he formed his own group who fought government forces in 2008 following the aborted signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) which was declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Since then, Umbra Kato and his armed band have been pursued by the government forces for engaging in lawless actions, Deles said.
Deles said: “Definitely, our government forces are ready for necessary defensive actions to protect and ensure the welfare of communities should the perpetrators launch attacks again.
"Pursuit operations against Carialan and his men are being conducted to bring them to the bar of justice.”
She added: “This act of aggression of the BIFM is meant to derail the peace process between the government and the MILF.
"We assure the public that these incidents will not affect the substantial gains that we have carefully and persistently built with our counterparts foremost of which is the ceasefire mechanism that continues to hold on the ground and kept the peace for our communities.”
Deles also disclosed that the government and MILF peace panels will start this week their 30th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“We remain firm in our resolve to continue engaging the MILF in the negotiation table until we are able to reach an agreement to finally resolve the conflict in Mindanao and bring peace to our people who have suffered the most,” she stressed.
Earlier, Deles expressed concern over the attacks but was relieved upon knowing that the MILF had cooperated with government forces to stop the BIFM attacks.
“Of course we are concerned,” Deles told PNA when asked for her reaction to the fighting that broke Sunday night until Monday morning.
Deles also voiced out her concern that the attacks occurred during the celebration of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims.
“Why they (BIFM) moved (attacked) during this holy month?” Deles asked.
However, Deles was happy to note the fact that the MILF hierarchy “is cooperating” with government forces to contain the fighting.
In a related development, Cabunoc acknowledged the help extended by MILF forces under Commander Adam who deployed MILF fighters that formed a blocking force to prevent a spillover of the fighting.
He said this was a sincere gesture of cooperation between the government and MILF to further promote the peace talks to end the long-drawn Mindanao armed conflict.
He said “the areas where the fighting raged overnight are still very risky with some intermittent gunfire heard from time to time but soldiers are now conducting clearing operations.”
At the height of the fighting, BIFM fighters managed to cut-off electricity in some areas.
The rebels used chain saws to cut-off electric posts.
Cabunoc also said traffic in two major highways in these areas has been temporarily suspended as government forces are conducting clearing operations.
The BIFM fighters armed with high-powered firearms attacked the military outposts belonging to the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Maguindanao at 11:30 Sunday evening.
At the same time, the Army detachments in the towns of Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Ampatuan also came under attack.
But Cabunoc said the soldiers held their line, triggering fierce gun battles that lasted up to daybreak Monday. Troop reinforcements were sent, he added.
Apparently to distract the attention of government force, the rebels attacked the Army detachement in Salman, Ampatuan town at 6:15 this morning but the soldiers repulsed the attack.
One trooper, Corporal Romel Mantos of the 603rd Brigade was slightly wounded, Cabunoc said.
There were no reports on civilian casualties but local residents were complaining about the power outages after the rebels cut down some electric posts along the highway using chainsaws.
The local military commanders in the area are coordinating with the local officials and the police on security.
Cabunoc also said that soldiers have been deployed in strategic areas to protect the innocent civilians.
Supporting the peace process.
The local commanders of the MILF are closely coordinating with the Army in monitoring the presence of Kato's men in their respective communities.
“Commander Adan, an MILF leader in Ampatuan town has deployed his men to block the entry of BIFF members in his locality where his members are maintaining a huge tract of farmland. They didn't want the source of livelihood to be destroyed in the armed clashes,” Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc also assured that the Philippine Army will uphold the primary of the peace process now ongoing.
The Army appreciates the gestures shown by the MILF members who are very supportive in the ongoing peace negotiations,” he said.

"Our soldiers will always uphold the primacy of the peace process and will try to prevent the escalation of the hostilities. We also call on the BIFF members led by Kato, to return to the mainstream MILF and become our partners in bringing lasting peace in their land," Cabunoc added. (PNA)

Military on top of Maguindanao security situation - AFP

By Priam F. Nepomuceno

---

MANILA, Aug. 6 (PNA) - Despite the series of attacks by renegade elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) headed by commander Umbra Kato on various military detachments in Maguindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assures it is still on top of the security situation in the area.
Major Emmanuel Garcia, acting AFP spokesperson, said that the harassment antics conducted by Kato's "Bangsamoro Islamic Fighters Movement" (BIFM) had been stopped after quick and decisive action of military units in the area.
"Despite some tensions, the situation is now returning to normal. Our forces are told to undertake 'active defense posture' to secure themselves and their camps from another attack," he said.
Garcia also denied reports that Kato's men held hostage a community near Ampatuan while making their getaway.
"There is no such thing, our security forces have total control of Ampatuan and other Maguindanao towns," he added.
He also declined to comment on whether the AFP's intelligence services were at fault for failing to give word on the attack, adding that such sudden assaults were done to off-balance defending forces.
"But despite that, our troops were able to hold their ground and drive away the attackers," Garcia said.
Attacked in Sunday's 11:30 p.m. assault were the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade headquarters in Shariff Aguak, three battalion headquarters deployed in Shariff Aguak; Datu Unsay, and Datu Ampatuan and their various sub-units scattered also in the above-mentioned localities.

Initial reports said two rebels and a civilian were killed and four militiamen were hurt in the assaults. (PNA)

P500M coal project in DavOr in the pipeline

    Coal Asia is staking its lot in Davao Oriental and is earmaking P400 million of proceeds to be raised from its initial public offering (IPO).
Coal Asia, which holds the second largest coal reserves in the country with coal assets worth P12.5 billion, is going public in a bid to raise P800M
in the Philippine Stock Exchange by the fourth quarter of 2012.
The net proceeds from the IPO is earmarked to bring the company’s Davao Oriental mine into production by 2014, said the company, whole coal assets has undergone independent valuation by the Multinational Investment Bancorporation. .
Coal Asia has been luring investors from the power generation and cement industries and investment funds wanting a stake in the company as a means to ensure continuous supply of coal and a crack at potential earnings from higher coal prices.
With its development of its high-grade bituminous coal mines in Mindanao, Coal Asia is poised to ink long-term supply agreements for thermal coal in the region.

Sun.Star lensman tops Davao City Police media shootfest

SHARPSHOOTER. Taking a break from shooting people with his Nikon, Sunstar Davao photographer King Rodriguez shot down with his sharpshooting skill competitors to emerge champion in the recent DCPO media shootfest

SUN.STAR Davao Publishing Inc. photographer King Rodriguez topped the Firearms Proficiency Test for the Media held at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) headquarters in Camp Domingo E. Leonor on July 26, beating shooting enthusiasts.
Besting 49 other journalists with a score of 80 points, Rodriguez emerged as champion in the one-day shootfest.
First runner-up is GMA Davao’s anchor Tek Ocampo, who garnered 76 points, while dxAB’s James Galay in second runner-up with 75 points. Both Ocampo and Galay are shooters.
Rodriguez, Ocampo and Galay will receive certificates of recognition along with third runner-up Louell Requilman of UNTV (74) and the rest of the top 10 shooters and their corresponding score, namely: Eli R. Tonge of UNTV (71); Randy L. Cañedo of ABS-CBN (70); Hernando H. Jereus of GMA (58); Jett Pogoy-intern of GMA (56); Michael Limbaga of GMA (52); and Toni Ace P. Bacamante of GMA (52).
Of the 50 media personalities, who participated in the competition, 10 passed the Firearms Proficiency Test.
Senior Superintendent Ronald M. Dela Rosa, DCPO director, said the top 10 shooters will receive their certificates of recognition during the DCPO Patronal Feast in honor to Saint Ignatius of the Apostles on July 31.
Dela Rosa said the Firearms Proficiency Test for the media practitioners was prepared to strengthen the camaraderie of DCPO personnel with the media, and for them to be familiarized with firearms use for security purposes.

Dengue victims up 700% in Davao City

BY JOANNA C. BALANZA Dengue has killed 30 by end of July this year, double the number of victims at 16 for the same period last year,
The deadly tropical disease also recorded an alarming number of victims also for the same period downing 3,952  compared to  last year’s 478 victims or a 700 percent increase, according to Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, city health officer.
The disease killed 27 people in 2011.
The health officer said the drastic increase can be blamed on global warming or mutation of the dengue virus-carrying mosquito.
She said the increase was not for lack of effort of the health office, which is conducting ongoing community-based campaigns to educate people on prevention and control of the disease.

Hataman to Cabinet: Shape up or ship out!

COTABATO CITY — Acting ARMM Governor Mujib Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) strongly warned Cabinet secretaries in the region that they must improve their performance or behavior or be shipped out from government service.
“The public expectation from us is very high after our accomplishments were recognized by President Aquino,” he told Cabinet officials after attending the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Manila.

In the SONA, Hataman was named by President Aquino as “certified ghost buster” after he cleansed the regional bureacracy from ghost teachers, ghost employees, ghost projects, ghost schools and all the “ghosts” that siphoned the ARMM coffers through the years.
The regional governor from Basilan was handpicked by President Aquino to institute reforms in the graft-ridden regional government.
He told the Cabinet officials and bureau heads that their offices should perform well even with limited budget.
“In ARMM nothing is impossible,” Hataman said, adding that he does not claim credit alone for the recognition cited by the President in his SONA.
“We still have more than a year, I hope we will get more recognition for doing our job correctly, I hope by next SONA, we have done what were expected of us,” Hataman said.

Habitat, DSWD join hands in ARMM low-cost housing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Margie MoranFloirendo, co-chair of Friends of Habitat, HFH Philippines’ social mobilization arm, right, with then Philippine senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Rick Hathaway, vice-president, Habitat for Humanity, Asia-Pacific, at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, co-organized by Habitat for Humanity International, in Manila in 2009

Habitat for Humanity Philippines, represented by Board Member Ms. Margie Moran Floirendo and Hon. Hadja Bainon G. Kairon, OIC Regional Vice-Governor for ARMM and Concurrent Regional Secretary, signed a Memorandum of Agreement on July 27, 2012 for the building of 900 homes and 922 day care centers in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Also at the signing were Eusoph G. Kani, DSWD ARMM Legal Officer, David Liban Jr., Disaster Response Manager of HFHP and Leonilo Escalada, CEO for HFHP.
The signing followed the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III on July 23 where he lauded the reforms implemented by ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman, especially on the housing and education reforms.
Leonilo Escalada, HFHP Chief Operating Officer said: “The home partner families living in Buluan, Mangudadatu and Pandag have experienced flooding through the years because of their housing location. We will be using stilt technology in the construction of the houses to prevent flooding in their homes.”
Site selection for the succeeding projects for housing and day care centers are still ongoing in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Basilan, Tawi tawi and Sulu, in partnership with the ARMM local governments and other regional offices.
Charlie Ayco, HFHP Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director said: “We, in Habitat walk hand in hand with National Government, DSWD and the ARMM government’s plan in alleviating housing poverty here in ARMM.
A total of 270 houses will be constructed in four sites in the abovementioned municipalities and are expected to be finished by the end of August 2012. Marilyn Roque

Zamboanga mining firm in P11.6 M cassava project

ZAMBOANGA CITY –- A mining company operating in two areas in the Zamboanga peninsula has initiated an P11.6 million cassava plantation project in Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur that will benefit some 350 farmers in 20 barangays in the municipality.
To firm up the project, the company, TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc. (TVIRD) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) wth the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government for the establishment of the cassava plantation in Bayog.
Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Ceriles said “this is the biggest project that farmers have had in Bayog in so many years,”
Renne Subido, TVIRD Vice President for Corporate Social Commitment, said this is part of the company’s commitments to the government. He added that the company responded positively when the provincial government asked TVIRD to be a partner in the cassava plantation project.
TVIRD identified the barangays beneficiaries for the project as Poblacion, Kahayagan, Kanipaan, Damit, Salawagan, Dipili, Lamare, Depore, Sigacad, Balukbahan, Matin-ao, Datagan, Bubu-an, Canoayan, Deporehan, Liba, Camp Blessing, Supon, Balumbunon, Conacon, Bantal, Dimalinao, Pulang Bato, San Isidro, Depase, Matun-og, Dagum, and Baking.

No corner for criminals to hide in Davao City

 

    Criminals could not stay long in Davao City because there are many “eyes” watching for them in all corners of the city, said Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
The series of successful raids on drug dens last week are results of monitoring by police assets who are all over the city watching out for criminals, said Duterte in his television program Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa on ABS/CBN on Sunday.
The raids in Barangay Ilang, Quezon Blvd and Ponciano Street netted 35 suspects arrested and two dead.
The success of the raids also means that the policemen are working and the intelligence gathering has been raised to a new level, said Duterte.
He gave credit to the police intelligence operatives and their ‘assets’ who had worked in crime-prone areas for years.
Some of the operatives were already in place in these areas  since 20 years. I would like to assure that every every corner in the city is being watched, he said.
Duterte admits that drug-dealing in the city is rampant but said police would do its best to arrest the pushers.
He said earlier the city has become a magnet for drug pushers because of the concentration of people who are the ready market.
Shabu, the most common drug in use, are sourced from nearby provinces like Cotabato, said intelligence operatives of the Philippine Drug Ennforcement Agency in the Davao Region.
Marijuana, once the favorite drug before shabu, dubbed as the poor man’s cocaine, became popular, is staging a comeback, said the anti-narc operatives.
Several arrest of marijuana couriers have been made, with the pushers admitting they sourced the banned weed from provinces in the Davao Region.
A suspected drug pusher was killed and 15 others were arrested in two separate raids conducted by authorities here on Friday and Saturday.

    The raids carried out by joint elements of the Davao City Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Sta. Ana and San Pedro Police Stations, City Public Safety Company, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency brought to 35 the number of suspects in a renewed campaign against drug peddlers.
Twenty persons earlier had been arrested in Barangay Ilang in Bunawan District.
Senior Supt. Ronald Dela Rosa, DCPO head, identified the fatality as Orlan Jonson Dela Cuesta, 41, of Purok 4, Barangay 23-C, Quezon Blvd., this city, who died of a lone gunshot wound in the head after he resisted arrest and fired back at the raiding team members Saturday morning.
Nine other suspects were arrested in the same raid. They were identified as Landring Dela Cuesta, a certain Anecito, alias Cetong Lim; Pangalian Macaway Palawan, Arnold Formarejo Lim, Jay-ar Villaflor Ladislao, Ampre Gulani Dela Cuesta, Nelson Buscado Gamale, Richard Dela Cuesta, and Jonebre Eulogio Pitao.
Dela Rosa said the raiders recovered from the lone fatality’s possession one .22 caliber revolver and two sachets of suspected shabu.
On the other hand, recovered from the possession of the other suspects were 19 sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, two Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolvers, 12 bullets, and one mobile phone.
On Friday’s raid, elements of the San Pedro Police arrested six drug suspects in a buy-bust operation at Purok 5, Barrio Tagalog, Barangay 4-A.
Supt. Antonio Rivera, chief of San Pedro police station, identified the suspects as Arnel Sellon Andrion, 48; Albert Roy Andrion Espejo, 28; Hilario Anoya Olaer, 29; Melchor Anoya Olaer, 28; Perla Atangan Olaer, 45; and Celestino Juman Arballo.
Recovered from their possession were one big sachet and three small sachets of suspected shabu, one .22 caliber revolver, four pieces of live ammunition, 27 heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu, three rolls of aluminum foil, a marked P500 bill, two improvised lighters, wrapped dried leaves of suspected marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia.

DAVAO CITY ORDINANCE SHIELDS GAYS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

BY ROGER M. BALANZA

WHEN IN DAVAO CITY, don’t ever make the mistake of jeering at, insulting or making fun of the limp-wristed specie of the human race.
The Davao City Anti-discrimination Ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be in full effect soon, and woe to those who would look down on men and women of the third sex and subject them to verbal abuse or slam the door on those applying for jobs.
Humans of the “other kind’  are listed in the local ordinance that would protect anybody against any form of discrimination by virtue of sex, creed or race, with strong emphasis on the marginalized sector like the tribal people, elderly, physically handicapped and, yes, the LGBTs ( lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders).
The ordinance covers a wide range of human activities where gays could be discriminated against including opportunities for employment.
Under the ordinance, the machos and the straight girls should be in equal footing with those from the third sex, to protect their rights under the equal opportunity clause of the Constitution.
Duterte said the ordinance would be implemented this month. While under study by the Davao City Council, the anti-discrimination ordinance had gone through committee and public hearings which were attended by the local gay community.
Duterte has been openly supportive of gay causes, the support stretched up to entry of gays into the Philippine National police.
At one time he urged the police agency to abolish its perceived discrimination against gays in the force, saying that even the communist armed group New People’s Army has opened its doors to gay fighters.
Duterte however has admonished gays to tone down on their loud talks and giggles as they roam neigborhoods at night, over complaints of residents about being disturbed by the girlish guffaws even during wee hours.

MARK ANTHONY BARRIGA LOSES FIGHT VS.Birzhan Zhakypov

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines has protested light-flyweight Mark Anthony Barriga’s loss against Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov.

The Philippines’ lone boxing hope in London lost the match, 17-16, after getting penalized for ducking and headbutting in the third round of the fight. That gave the Kazakh two extra points, making up the difference in the result.

“We felt the referee was a little too quick on the draw on the warning, because the Kazakh was already wrestling Mark to the ground,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

Barriga was leading the fight, 10-8, heading into the third round, when Zhakypov became visibly more aggressive. He wrestled the Filipino fighter to the ground twice early before Barriga without any reaction from Labbe.

“And when the referee finally gave a deduction [for wrestling], it went both ways,” said Picson.

“But that’s the referee’s prerogative. It was a judgment call, I don’t necessarily agree with it.”

According to AKTV’s Lia Cruz, the ABAP will protest the fact that Barriga was warned just once before being penalized, when the Filipino fighter should have been warned three times.

A similar case occurred earlier on Friday, when the United States protested a decision that gave India’s Krishan Vikas a 13-11 victory over American welterweight Errol Spence. In that case, the US said that the Indian should have received two warnings, resulting in an overturn of the result.

Under AIBA Technical & Competition Rules, a protest can be filed by “the Team Leader or by the person having the highest position in the Team Delegation no later than 30 minutes after the completion of the bout.”

Video of the protested fight will be used to render a decision by AIBA.

CYNTHIA VILLAR IN PREMATURE CAMPAIGN FOR SENATOR?

Everyone’s talking about the TV ad of Villar Foundation, Inc. The premature campaigning
advertisement features former Congresswoman Cynthia Aguilar-Villar, wife of Sen. Manny Villar. The title of the ad is “Walang kadala-dala.”

Rumors say former congresswoman Cynthia Villar will run for senator next year. Just so you know, Mrs. Villar is a member of the rich Aguilar clan of Las Piñas. In fact, the jingle for her next TV ad goes something like, “Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng pera?” THE PHILIPPINE HECKLER

KNOWING CYNTHIA VILLAR

Representative, Las Piñas City, 2001 to 2010

Managing Director, Villar Foundation, 1992 to present

Cynthia Aguilar Villar earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, which recently recognized her as one of its Distinguished Alumni.  She completed her Masters in Business Administration at the New York University.

She practiced as a financial analyst and college professor until she married Former House Speaker and Senate President Manny Villar in 1975.  She then helped her husband in various entrepreneurial ventures, eventually making Vista Land the biggest homebuilder in the Philippines. She managed a private development bank from 1989 to 1998.

In 2001, Cynthia Villar won in a landslide victory as Representative of Las Piñas to the Philippine’s House of Representatives, where she completed three terms or nine years of service until 2010.

Congresswoman Villar also served as chairperson of the Congressional Spouses Foundation from 1998 to 2000. During her term, she built 11 regional centers for women who are victims of abuse.

Likewise, she also served as president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc., from August 2006 to December 2008, during which the Foundation raised P25 million for the rehabilitation of charity wards at the Philippine General Hospital.

Cynthia Villar’s social and civic concerns are wide and varied.  Thus, in 1992, she founded and chaired the Villar Foundation, where she is now actively involved as Managing Director.

Amidst all her achievements and awards, she still considers her family her most cherished treasures and her three well-raised children as her glory. Paolo and Mark are graduates of the Wharton School of Finance—University of Pennsylvania. Her only daughter, Camille, is a Business Management graduate at the Ateneo de Manila University. Paolo now is the Chief Executive Officer of their publicly–listed housing company Vista Land. Camille is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Vista Land’s upscale housing subsidiary Brittany Corporation. She is also a co-host in television variety program Wil Time Bigtime on TV 5. Mark is a member of the Philippine House of Representatives of the Lone District of Las Piñas City. They are all role models of hard work and perseverance—life values that their parents inculcated in them.

CYNTHIA VILLAR FOR SENATOR

Agusan del Sur miner joins Davao City building boom – Jessie “Pokloy” Cuyos

WORK IN PROGRESS. Skeptron Hotel, upper photo, of the JTC Mining of Rosario, Agusan del Sur Mayor Jessie Cuyos is the latest comer to Davao City’s skylines drastically changed by a building boom. Lower photos from left: Kukun Tower  at the Abreeza Mall complex, and Aeon Tower of the FTC Group and Avida of Ayala Land which are still in the pipeline.

BY ROGER M. BALANZA

Mindanaoans are not being left behind by bigtime real estate developers and investors in building high-rise buildings in Davao City.
Joining what is described here as a “race to heaven” is Rosario, Agusan del Sur Mayor Jessie T. Cuyos whose JTC Mining Corporation is behind the almost completed12-storey Skeptron Hotel along the fast-rising J. P. Laurel Avenue business district in Lanang.

JOINING THE RACE TO HEAVEN. Mayor Jessie T. Cuyos, flanked by Davao City radio broadcasters Bobby Largo, left, and Mel Paulino, who interviewed him recently on development projects for his municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur. Mayor Cuyos through his JTC Mining is investing P1 billion in the 12-floor Skeptron Hotel in Davao City along J. P. Laurel Avenue.

Said to cost P1 billion, Cuyos’  hotel was expected to be opened this year.
Skeptron Hotel joins high-rise buildings in Davao City like the 35-storey Aeon Tower purportedly Mindanao’s tallest that would start building this year, and Kukun Hotel also along JP Laurel inside the Abreeza Mall complex.
Also in the planning board are skyscrapers Oroderm Hotel and Avida Tower of Ayala Land which will rise in the old business district of C.M. Recto.
Meanwhile, the Rosario local government will soon have its own home in a P35 million municipal hall that would be built this year, according to assistant municipal planning and development officer Joselito Serrano
Planning and development officer Marianito Bayron is now in the homestretch of finalizing loan agreements with a government financing institution, said Serrano
Agusan del Sur is now enjoying a rush of adrenalin in the march to progress and development as the province’s  rich gold deposits inject more vigor to the economy.
Cuyos’JTC Mining and Philsaga Mining, the province biggest mining companies, are playing key factor in the the economic boom.
Cuyos is gearing up his municipality of Rosario for the big game with projects directed at uplifiting the life of his people with strong focus on projects on water systems, irrigation, farm-to-market roads, health and education. Rosario’s barangay lighting program also has already brightened up almost 95 percent of Rosario’s barangays.

Mining, power, agri in Mindanao Business Conference 2012 in Butuan City

ALL SYSTEMS GO.  Butuan City Vice Mayor Lemuel Lawrence Hernandez Furton during a press conference before the biggest business event in his city — the 21st Mindanao Business Conference

The annual 21st Mindanao Business Conference to be held on August 2-4 in Butuan City will draw up recommendations to improve the environment for mining, power and agriculture that will be submitted to Malacañang at the end of the summit, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), president Miguel Varela said.

———————————————————————

ALSO READ:

Butuan City to host 21st Mindanao Business Conference

JESSIE T CUYOS « DURIANBURGDAVAO Mindanao Newsblog

Mindanao business leaders gather for Butuan conference

Mining, power, farm issues expected to dominate Mindanao

PCCI sets Mindanao Policy Consultationsbusiness

———————————————————————
“We are hoping that of the many recommendations that have been put forward, we will be able to make things clearer before recommending to the President,” said Varela.
He said recommendations for mining may include holding auctions for exploration and extraction rights, requiring mining contractors to regularly submit operation and financial reports to ensure transparency, enforcing the primacy of national over local laws and directly remitting to local governments their share in royalties.
Recommendations for the energy sector include excluding from the government’s privatization policy the hydroelectric plants that provide more than half of Mindanao’s power supply and completing studies on the island’s long-delayed wholesale electricity spot market.
Those for the farm sector include setting up guarantee schemes for related projects and promptly releasing new guidelines for the use of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund that are supposed to prevent recurrence of irregularities.
Varela said the summit should send the message that Mindanao is ready for more investments.

KADAYAWAN2012:

MILF says PNoy’s SONA sent positive signals for conclusion of peace process

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

'Aquino's Mining EO contrary to Christian Stewardship of Creation'

“Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell.” (Numbers 35:34)
Aquino’s Mining EO is contrary to Christian Stewardship of Creation
Position Paper of the Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (SAMIN)

We in the Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), join the widespread clamor of the Filipino people--- especially indigenous peoples, small farmers, and small-scale miners--- in opposing the deceptiveness of President Aquino’s Executive Order No. 79.

The Filipino people have made clear the message: WE SAY NO TO LARGESCALE FOREIGN MINING! Proof of this is a growing anti-mining movement that has seen the coming together of the poor, enlightened professionals and media, the Christian churches, and even a few from the rich who are standing up for communities and the environment.

On the other side of the social divide are the titans of the mining industry and President Aquino, who have both closed ranks through this Mining EO.

“People think that they can make arbitrary use of the earth subjecting it without restraint to their will, as though it did not have its own requisites and a prior God-given purpose, which people can indeed develop but must not betray.” (CentesimusAnnus No. 37)

1. This Executive Order and the Mining Act upon which it is based is against the values of Christian stewardship.

The heart of the matter is that the Mining Act of 1995 upon which this EO is based, remains to be the most environmentally destructive law ever passed in the country. This EO, like the Mining Act which it reinforces, runs contrary to the principality of ecological balance, the rights of communities to the integrity of their physical environment and livelihood, the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination in ancestral domains, and most of all the preservation of our national patrimony and the sustainability of generations.

“They will neither harm nor destroy on allmy holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)

2. This Executive Order only seeks to deodorize the stench and destructiveness of largescale foreign mining.

The people can see through the deceptive language of this EO, by showcasing compliance with environmental standards in mining, adherence to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and the so-called Programmatic Environmental Impact Assessment. The Aquino government is using sugarcoated words to sound ‘green’ but in reality these only mask the denudation of remaining forests, the pollution of rivers and waterways, and the deformation of mountains and reefs, among others. Worse, it exploits the issue of climate change adaptation and mitigation and cunningly uses it as a primary consideration in mining policy.

“Care for the earth is a duty of our faith and a sign of our concern for all people. We should strive to live simply to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”– Pope Paul II, SolicitudoReiSocialis

3. This Executive Order is an imposition to favor the plunderers of Creation than to look after the interest of the Common Good.

From the time of the Pharaohs to the rule of Herod, from the colonial rule of Spain to the current hidden reign of the United States, from the time of the Marcos Dictatorship until today’s Aquino government, presidential decrees have been issued to impose the monopolization of resources by the elite. President Aquino has used this discretionary authority to force the liberalization of the mining industry in the face of stiff opposition from communities and the indefensible argument for largescale foreign mining in the national public debate.

This EO is clearly not for the common good as it worsens the ailing domestic economy, promotes conflict and divisiveness in communities, dislocates indigenous peoples and settlers, and disempowers people from making the life-giving choices such as tilling the land to produce a good harvest of food and other basic needs.

“They have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth…” (Isaiah 24:4-6)

4. This Executive Order renders communities and local authorities powerless and asserts the primacy of the Aquino government on determining the direction and framework of mining policy.

This EO has been designed to stifle grassroots opposition to largescale foreign mining. Communities are asserting their right to self-determination even in spite of approved mining exploration permits and mineral agreements. And there has been a bandwagon of local government units walking hand-in-hand with these communities to declare no-mining zones or open-pit mining bans. This is what the mining transnational corporations are seeking to break, and the EO gives back to them the primacy of vicious rights under the Mining Act of 1995 (timber rights, eviction rights, etc) over communities.

The liberalization of the mining industry is now protected more strongly through the alignment of local policy to those of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC). Apparently, it had not been enough to have the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources--- agencies with tarnished records of corruption--- on the side of largescale foreign mining companies. LGUs that stand in the way are now whipped into line.

“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.” (Leviticus 25:23-24)

5. This Executive Order leads to the sacrifice of Creation at the altar of large scale foreign mining.

Finally, this EO enforces the total sell-out and plunder of our mineral wealth to big foreign business. It boasts of raising revenues but covers up the fact that these taxes are at run-away discounted rates compared to other parts of the world. More importantly, the meager income is right away cancelled out by the huge environmental and social costs. Consequently, our present and future generations are deprived of the resources to truly advance national industrialization.

The EO falsely claims it is for a National Industrialization Program (NIP). In carefully crafted fashion, this EO restrains the full development of small scale mining as a viable jobs - and income-generating enterprise - if regulated in favor of the people and the environment - and eventually eases them out for the entry of the big scale plunderers.

We rage as women religious against EO 79. We weep yet are moved to action for the women and children who shall further suffer the death of the environment.

Denounce EO 79 and the Mining Act of 1995! Announce an alternative peoples’ mining law that upholds human rights and the integrity of creation. (Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (SAMIN)samin.sisters@yahoo.com )

ARMM officials laud Aquino, Comelec for successful conduct of 10-day voters' re-registration

By Noel Y. Punzalan

---

COTABATO CITY, July 20 (PNA) -- A 10-day sacrifice is nothing compared to a lifelong label as “cheating capital” of the country come election time.
Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), who now have high praises for the Aquino government, may well agree to this following the successful conduct of the July 9-18 re-registration of voters in the two-city, five-province region.
The ARMM comprises the cities of Marawi and Lamitan and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Lanao del Sur.
"The national government has done what is best for the ARMM electorates,” ARMM acting Gov. Mujiv Hataman said in a recent interview.
“Now, we are more confident of credible results to come out in the forthcoming polls following the re-registration activity,” Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said as he lauded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for a “job well done.”
Maguindanao Vice Gov. Dustin Mastura, meanwhile, said that the principle of “Isang tao, isang boto” once again reigns in the region.
“This is some thing good for the people of ARMM. We would not be alleged as election cheaters anymore,” he said.
Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, who visited Maguindanao during his last three days of monitoring the voters’ list-up, said his office managed to register 1.2 million voters in the region, a far cry from its old list of 1.7 million voting registrants.
“Despite some reported irregularities such as the 'hakot' (haul) system, a concerted effort among Comelec, police and military personnel managed to thwart what could have been another case of election cheating in the future,” Mayor Lester Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, said.
Lawyer Udtog Tago, provincial election supervisor for Maguindanao, said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) also played a vital role during the 10-day activity, as there was no reported registration-related incident involving the rebel group that has an ongoing peace overture with the government.
Since January this year, there were no reported encounters between military and MILF forces in Maguindanao.
“The MILF has responded positively to security coordination initiated by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and ARMM police command,” Tago said.
Maguindanao First District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, for her part, proposed that ARMM officials should draft a resolution expressing appreciation to the military, police and MILF for a well-coordinated security disposition during the registration activity.
She noted that members of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which inked a final peace accord with the government in 1996, also showed up at registration centers during the 10-day period.
The congresswoman’s husband, Cotabato City Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema, concurrently chairs the MNLF's biggest faction based in Central Mindanao.
The Catholic Church-backed Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) also extolled the government on the recent task but recommended that the Comelec make public the number of underage registrants that were removed from the list of applicants per province or barangay and also make public the number of registrants who were discovered to have registered more than once through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System per province or barangay.
“This is to disabuse public perception that underage registrants continue to pollute the new List of Voters in the ARMM; to assure the public that automating registration – the Voter Registration Machine that captures biometrics and the AFIS - indeed deletes flying voters,” Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV national chairperson, said in a communiqué to the Comelec.

Such action on their recommendation, she said, would help the public realize that the Comelec is a credible and competent manager of our elections; and restore the people’s trust in elections and impel participation in good governance. (PNA)

2013 proposed Mindanao infra budget hiked by 26%

---

MANILA, July 20 (PNA) -- Mindanao, which currently has the lowest ratio of paved roads to overall road infrastructure among the country’s regions, is now set to get a larger allocation from the national government’s proposed annual budget for infrastructure.
Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed this at a roundtable discussion among business leaders and senior officials on Mindanao infrastructure policy held recently at the Traders Hotel.
The roundtable was organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which is implemented under the oversight of MinDA.
“Sixty-nine percent of national roads in Mindanao are unpaved. Mindanao has the lowest paved road ratio,” said Singson. “It is clear that Mindanao should get a bigger share of the budget.”
Under the proposed 2013 budget, Mindanao will receive P27.62 billion, or 26.1 percent of the national infrastructure budget, up from P20.4 billion the previous year.
Infrastructure budget allocations for the other regions are as follows: Northern Luzon - 24.1 percent; Southern Luzon - 20.4 percent; the National Capital Region - 14.6 percent, and Visayas -19.4 percent.
“Our objectives are to improve the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination by enabling seamless connectivity, and to lower the costs of communication and transportation,” said Angelito Colona, PCCI vice president for transportation and logistics.
Singson also noted the bottlenecks in implementing road infrastructure projects in Mindanao, including right of way and security issues, shortage of cement suppliers in parts of the region, the practice of truck overloading which results in faster road deterioration, and the need to integrate ports and airports with road systems.
The meeting included a presentation by the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association, on issues affecting freight rates in domestic shipping, focusing on Mindanao.
The roundtable was part of the run-up to the 21st Mindanao Business Conference, or “MinBizCon,” which will be held Aug. 2-4 in Butuan City. The highlight of the annual conference is the presentation of the Mindanao Business Policy Agenda to President Benigno Aquino III.
The formulation of the agenda began with broad-based regional policy consultations held in Mindanao’s major cities to identify and address bottlenecks that hold back trade and investment, and to clarify government rules, regulations and timelines.
Drawing on the outputs of these consultations, a draft policy agenda was compiled by MinDA in collaboration with PCCI. The draft listed the most urgent policy concerns, as well as required government actions and private sector commitments.
The regional consultations were followed by high-level roundtables focusing on specific sectors, including infrastructure, which were held in Manila on July 3-4 with MinDA and Cabinet officials and private sector representatives for a thorough review of the draft policy agenda, and for government to formulate appropriate responses. (PNA)