One Mindanao - September 30, 2015

Pantar Bridge II seen to ease transport of goods, services between Lanao

Govt troops defuse yet another IED in Bukidnon

National Tourism confab slated in Davao City

Perseverance, hardwork, faith in God are hallmarks of outstanding ZamsboSurians

APEC agriculture meeting focuses on technology, rural development

P19.5-B in BuB projects to help

develop Mindanao12

1921

30

15

24

Cover Story

National

Northern

Southern

InFocus

ARMM

By: Norman M Tagros

OUR

CO

VER

Mambajao enacts ordinance for secure dormitories, boarding houses

contents

9

28

Volume 5 * Issue No. 28

By: Gideon Corgue

15

18

22

We will not surrender – Tejero3334

CaragaArrest warrants out vs. 3 suspects on lumad slay in SurSur31By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force gets P2.5-M patrol boat 41By: Franklin P. Gumapon 39Western

By: Jorie C .Valcorza

26 ARMM rolls out P92-M worth of infra projects in 2015

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)Ground Floor 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]

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSGIDEON CORGUE,, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 September 30, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

Perseverance, hardwork, faith in God are hallmarks of outstanding ZamsboSuriansBy: Gideon Corgue

5September 30, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Perseverance, hardwork, faith in God are hallmarks of outstanding ZamsboSurians


This year’s awardees include Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Rolando L. Goan, retired City Prosecutor Reynaldo L. Goan, and retired Judge Edilberto G. Absin all of the justice system category, Leonila F. Tecson of the women empowerment and development category, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Director Ernesto D. Dinglasa of the banking and finance category, Henry L. Tan and Clyton H. Tugonon of the entrepreneurship.

The awardees were feted by no less than Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H.Cerilles in an annual awarding ceremony for outstanding ZamboSurians

in recognition of their exemplary performance and achievements in their respective fields of endeavors.

The selection of outstanding ZamboSurians was one of the highlights of the province’s 63rd founding anniversary.

Surprised, honored

BSP Deputy Director Ernesto B. Dinglasa said he was surprised and honored to learn he was nominated to the said awards saying, “I am very pleased to receive this award, and it means that I have been recognized as a native of Pagadian City and

P erseverance, hard work, determination and faith in God are the hallmarks of the seven most outstanding “ZamboSurians 2015.”


Zamboanga del Sur.”

Dinglasa hails from barangay Balangasan, Pagadian City.

“I never dreamt standing before my ‘kababayans’ to receive this distinct award, which recognizes my services and achievements in life,” Dinglasa told this writer.

Poverty not a hindrance to success

“My perseverance, hard work and faith in God led me to succeed. I realized that even if we are poor, if we have that great determination and perseverance guided by our faith in God we will surely succeed. Indeed, ‘poverty is not a hindrance to success’,” Dinglasa added.Champion of people’s rights

Lawyer Edilberto G. Absin, who once served as presiding judge of RTC here particularly branch 29 and branch 18, was bestowed the honor for his dedication and passion for the law and dispensation of justice.

Absin, who championed the rights of the people, made sure that the wheels of justice run its course.

“I am really very happy because I was accorded this great honor of being one of Most Outstanding ZamboSurians for 2015. I am so proud that my efforts were recognized by the government officials,” Absin said.

Absin, who is now a private practitioner, had served the province for about 28 years starting off with his appointment as the first assistant prosecutor.


He was born in barangay Baloyboan, Pagadian City

Absin said when was a prosecutor he dispensed with justice impartially, without fear or favor. “When I was a prosecutor, I handled several cases such as the controversial case of father Malalay. I was the one who conducted preliminary investigation until the conviction of the accused,” Absin recalled.

Applied Arts

Clayton H. Tugonon, the president and owner of the famous Classical Geometry Export Trading based in Mandaue City, Cebu was an awardee for entrepreneurship category.

Tugunon, a native of Pagadian City, was recognized for his renowned designs indoor and outdoor furniture lamps and furniture accessories. The designs he made have won recognition and awards locally and internationally, making Filipino ingenuity and creativity known worldwide.

“I am very much inspired to

receive the award from the provincial government. This is God’s best gift for me because it is the first time that a local government unit recognized my significant contributions to our nation’s economy.”

Tugonon who made his visit to Pagadian in 1989, came home after 26 years to receive the award.

He was also overwhelmed with the recent infrastructure developments that are now happening in the city as well as in the province.

The awardees wore their fabulous Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana outfits, as they received their trophies and plaques of appreciation in a simple but fitting awarding ceremony.

9 September 30, 2015ONE MINDANAO 9September 30, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

SSS earns P274.5-M from real estate properties; eyes P1.2-B year-end income

QUEZON CITY —The Social Security System (SSS) has generated an income of P274.5 million during the first six months this year from the lease and sale of SSS-owned real estate properties such as residential and commercial lots, condominium units, buildings and parking lots, with year-end earnings seen to surpass P1.2 billion.

May Catherine Ciriaco, SSS Senior Vice President and Concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the Lending and Asset

Management Division, said the earnings were mainly derived from leasing SSS investment properties with a combined value


of P12.7 billion, which accounted for majority of the P17.9-billion total.

The SSS expects to generate additional earnings of P289 million in the remaining months of 2015 from the continuing lease of these assets, and P696.5 million more from the sale of SSS investment properties scheduled in the second half of this year, for a year-end total income of at least P1.2 billion.

“Contrary to recent news reports, SSS assets for the most part have not remained idle, for about 70 percent of our P17.9-billion investment properties have been on lease and are bringing in regular income for the SSS. The rest of SSS assets are either for sale, or are retained as SSS property due to their expected increase in value,” Ciriaco said.

SSS real estate properties scheduled for bidding before the end of 2015 include condominium

units and parking lots in Bella Villa and Pioneer Highlands, as well as SSS-acquired lots in Marilao, Villa Josefina, Zamboanga and Manila Harbour.

“Meanwhile, as part of the pension fund’s long-term strategy, the SSS intends to maintain its ownership of select prime properties, such as Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City and East Triangle in Quezon City, given the expected appreciation in their real estate value,” Ciriaco explained.

Scheduled for sale through bidding next year are SSS investment properties in Bayview, Urdaneta, Pryce Tower - Davao, Pryce Center - Makati and E. Ganzon, as well as SSS-acquired lots in Northfields. The properties for sale next year have a total appraised value of at least P253.6 million.

Ciriaco noted that the state-run agency is already


addressing the Commission on Audit’s (COA) observations cited in recent reports regarding SSS’ lost potential income last year of P198.1 million from its failure to rent out real estate properties such as condominium units.

“The SSS has already received COA’s unqualified opinion attesting to the fairness of the

financial statement submitted by SSS for 2014. Measures intended to maximize SSS income from its real estate properties are already underway,” Ciriaco said, adding that “even if the SSS has not rented out certain properties, the SSS has already registered gains from their appreciating value.” (SSS)


APEC agriculture meeting focuses on technology, rural development

ILOILO CITY—Delegates to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), who discussed agriculture during Monday’s meeting, put major emphasis on agricultural and technological cooperation, as well as rural development, an agriculture official has said. Agriculture Undersecretary Segredo Serrano told reporters during a press briefing at the Amigo Hotel here Tuesday that they have also put much emphasis

on surmounting the challenges posed by climate change on agriculture. “As you know, the APEC, the Asia-Pacific region, is also the


place where you have the Pacific, the biggest ocean,” and as such, it cannot be avoided that the region experiences cyclical bouts of El Niño and La Niña, he pointed out. Other areas of concern include food safety, and improving the agriculture sector’s productivity, he added. During the 19th Annual Meeting of the Agricultural

Technical Cooperation Working Group on Monday, the Philippines reported its recent activities on developing a research and development agenda that will tackle climate change adaptation and mitigation. Serrano said it could be a network or a joint undertaking by organizations from APEC member economies.

14 September 30, 2015ONE MINDANAO14 September 30, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Before the commencement of the high-level policy dialogue on Wednesday, there will be a policy dialogue on agricultural biotechnology during which ministers will discuss, not only the members’ experiences in agricultural biotechnology but also emerging trends and the importance of certain regulatory issues and harmonization.

“We will attempt to harmonize so as not to unduly hamper the trade and development of this technology that can be utilized for agricultural development and improving agricultural

productivity,” Serrano said.

They will then have a public policy forum on food security, where the senior ministers will focus on blue economy or the fishery sector, he added.

The high-level policy dialogue will be the culminating activity here in Iloilo City, Serrano said, noting that some ministers and senior officials from the APEC economies are expected to attend.

The discussion on agriculture would enable the country to gain from the exchange of information, sharing of ideas, and the development of networks, he added.

The APEC High-Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology will start today (September 30) and end on October 1. (PCOO/PND (as)


P19.5-B in BuB projects to help develop Mindanao

MANILA—The Aquino administration’s Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) Summit launched in Davao this week to highlight and track the progress of various BuB projects in the Mindanao Cluster, altogether amounting to P19.5 billion from 2013 to 2016. The BuB summit which started on September 29 and will end on October 1, was attended by representatives from civil

society organizations (CSOs), national government agencies (NGAs), and local government units (LGUs).


The Mindanao Cluster is composed of six administrative regions involved in the BuB program since the initiative was first established in 2013. The cluster is represented by Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao region, Davao region, SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12), and CARAGA (Region 13). To date, this cluster has received a total budget allocation of P19.5 billion for 15,539 projects. These include projects proposed in the 2016 National Expenditure Program (NEP) amounting to P5.98 billion for 3,532 BuB projects. “The BuB program was developed to give grassroots

communities a greater voice and stake in the national budget process. For Mindanao, this program is crucial in delivering much-needed government services to far-flung communities. At the same time, BUB allows us to improve governance in vulnerable and risk-prone areas,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

He added that with the establishment of peace and the rule of law in Mindanao, the government trusts that prosperity will follow as Filipinos in Mindanao benefit from real and inclusive development through the said program.


Convened by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), the workshop is supported by the departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Budget and Management (DBM), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

This event is preceded by other BuB summits recently held in Manila and Subic. The Davao workshop will focus on improving the BUB planning process and speeding up its implementation. At the same time, the workshop will provide a venue for discussions on how to enhance the partnerships between LGUs and CSOs, boost local government capacity to implement BuB programs, and consider appropriate ways to communicate the goals of BuB to the public.

“Through BuB, LGUs and CSOs can help identify poverty-reduction projects for implementation in their localities.

More importantly, Filipinos in Mindanao are now part of the decision-making process for local projects that have an impact on their lives. BuB is really an exercise in citizen empowerment,” Abad said.

The BuB program in the 2015 current budget covers 1,590 municipalities and cities across the country, with a budget of P20.9 billion. For 2016, the Aquino Administration is pushing for a budget of P24.7 billion to support the implementation of more than 14,300 BUB projects nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is included in the Mindanao Cluster of the BuB program. However, the data set noted below does not include BuB projects in the ARMM. (DBM)

The following is the breakdown of the BUB budget allocation and number of projects for the Mindanao Cluster:


7000 school children receive free hygiene kits

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – Continuing this small but significant undertaking, the provincial government of Camiguin completed another round of hygiene kit distribution to 55 elementary schools and 72 day care centers in the province, last month.



Govt troops defuse yet another IED in Bukidnon

KITAOTAO, Bukidnon – Troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army defused and recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) around 8:00 a.m. on September 25, 2015, along a foot trail in the hinter barangay of White Kulaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

Some 17,244 children received their basic supply set of toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, lice shampoo, lice comb, and nail cutter in schools through the Essential Health Care Package (ECHP) program. The supplies will remain in the classrooms to ensure supervised daily group hand washing and tooth brushing activities. After the ECHP implementation in 2009, initiated by Fit for School, only Camiguin was noted to have sustained the project among 17 pilot provinces in the country. EHCP Provincial Program Coordinator Thelma G. Dagpin said that to date, all dental traps (tooth brushing structures) are

now concrete, an improvement provided by the schools, barangays, and parents-teachers association (PTA) to replace makeshift structures built when the project started. The provincial government, meanwhile, encouraged local officials to ensure steady supply of water in schools to insure proper implementation or to adopt the traditional method by requiring children to bring bottled water every day. The program is envisioned to address preventable disease due to personal hygiene deficiencies like dental caries, diarrhea, and parasitic infections as worms and head lice.

By: Norman M Tagros


The incident transpired when an anxious local resident reported to the military who are deployed in the area that an IED was planted by suspected NPA rebels along the foot trail going to Sitio Division of said barangay. The troops were prompt in responding to the report and defused the said IED. Moreover, the troops also recovered a 500 meters detonating wire, 5 blasting caps and one (1) detonator switch from the area where the IED was planted. It can be recalled that on August 26, 2015, a law enforcement operation was conducted in the said area which resulted to the recovery of high powered firearms, explosives, IED paraphernalia, ammunition, blasting caps, detonating cords, detonator switches and numerous subversive documents belonging to the communists New People’s Army (NPA) and the discovery of an NPA IED factory and training facility. The incident also led to the arrest of 13 local residents who were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and rebellion cases. These individuals have been reported to be in connivance with

the NPA rebels. The Regional Trial Court of Malaybalay City dismissed the case, however, due to “lack of probable cause.” This has led to the release of the 13 detainees on September 22, 2015, around 6:00 p.m., from the custody of the Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Malaybalay City. Ltc Lennon G Babilonia INF (GSC) PA, commanding oof the 8th Infantry Battalion, has commended the vigilance of the local residents of Brgy. White Kulaman in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, while he challenged the leaders of the NPA in the area to spare the lives of civilians from being subjected to the threats of IEDs. “We would like to commend the cooperation and the vigilance of the people of White Kulaman. Yesterday was another fruitful day for our united efforts in trying to transform the barangay back to a peaceful community from being an NPA war zone. Let the blindness of the leaders of the NPA be cured by these recent turn of events where their minions made clear violations of the CARHRIHL and the IHL by emplacing dangerous explosives within the community and basically turning the barangay


It is the capital town of the province and home to two of the three colleges present in the island. Municipal ordinance no. 2015-62 seeks only to ensure that students and working minors will have sufficient shelter and sound environment conducive to the promotion of their health and protection against exploitation, influences, and other hazards. All owners/operators must satisfactorily comply with the standards and requirements before they can get hold of

their license to operate and corresponding mayor’s permit which should be prominently displayed at the front doorway of the building or structure. The Sangguniang Bayan further requires a separation in activities and premises for males and females boarders.

Mambajao enacts ordinance for secure dormitories, boarding houses

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – A new ordinance looking into the construction, use, and occupancy of dormitories and boarding houses was enacted by the local government unit of Mambajao on 03 August 2015.


into a military base. Obviously, it is these rebels who have militarized these communities - an issue that progressive groups

supporting the NPA have been accusing the military with,” said Babilonia.


Regional confab showcases PAMANA projects, tackles implementation challenges

The Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) is holding the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA)

Summit 2015 to showcase PAMANA projects and address issues and challenges faced in the implementation of the program.


The two-day summit also seeks to empower project stakeholders and increase their awareness through inputs and discussions on cooperativism, organizational management, and entrepreneurship that would enhance their drive for effective project implementation as well as foster sustainable development. More than 200 representatives from community livelihood cooperatives, project implementers, and provincial PAMANA teams from the five provinces of ARMM – Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi – attended the opening day of the summit Monday, September 28. A PAMANA Expo will also be mounted today at the Shariff Kabunsuan Commercial Complex inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City to inspire project

stakeholders to further promote the program’s objectives. The expo will feature products, photos and success stories. PAMANA is the national government’s flagship program under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to strengthen peace-building as well as reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas in selected priority regions in the country. It builds on a framework that seeks to optimize and harmonize the efforts of state and non-state actors in conflict areas. It complements current efforts in achieving just political settlement in all conflicts through negotiations.The DSWD-ARMM has been implementing the PAMANA Program since 2012. It has implemented the PAMANA community-driven


development/livelihood assistance projects in all the provinces of ARMM targeting a total of 2,159 communities with 386 barangays as pilot areas. To date, all pilot areas have fully implemented cycles 1 to 3 projects. The program’s coverage has expanded to 1,773 barangays in 81 municipalities. The cycle 1 of the expansion is now 96 percent complete and is currently in the process of turning over project inputs to program participants. Simultaneously, target barangays have started submitting project proposals for implementation this year. Tairan Livelihood Producers Cooperatives is among the

beneficiaries of the PAMANA in the province of Basilan. The cooperative is a recipient of seaweed farming project from where its 30 members earn their living. It is based in Brgy. Tairan in Lantawan, a third-class municipality. Bhen Isik, 45, the president of the Tairan cooperative said the project is beneficial to cooperative members. Isik added their economic conditions have somehow eased because of the project. A Bagsakan Center was built in the barangay where seaweed products of the cooperatives are sold. A multipurpose hall was also erected, where meetings and conventions of the cooperative are held. (BPI/APB/PIA-10

Pantar Bridge II seen to ease transport of goods, services between Lanao provinces


MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Governors of the two Lanao provinces inaugurated the Pantar Bridge II to open up new economic opportunities and improve the living conditions in Lanao.

Lanao del Norte Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. led the inauguration rites on September 22. Together with them were officials from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units of Pantar and Saguiaran. The Pantar Bridge II, a 80.00 linear meter bridge along Marawi and Iligan national road, is envisioned to provide safety to public commuters and ease the transport of goods and services between the two provinces. The bridge project which costs approximately P84 million was implemented by the DPWH Regional Office 10. It included the construction of prestressed concrete grider founded by bored pile foundation with drainage system and concrete bridge

approaches. In his message, Governor Adiong lauded President Benigno S. Aquino III for giving priority to the implementation of infrastructure projects in the Bangsamoro communities. He said the Pantar Bridge II is vital in the advancement of the local economy of the province. The bridge which connects the Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur also marks the progress of the two province in terms of cooperation and harmony between the two provinces, he noted. According to Adiong, the national government has appropriated more than P6 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Lanao del Sur for 2014-2016. (APB/PIA-10)


ARMM rolls out P92-M worth of infra projects in 2015MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will implement this year more than P92 million worth of infrastructure projects to help improve tourism and living conditions in the region.

The projects include the P56 million Bongao Peak Eco-Tourism development; the concreting of the one kilometer Dulay-Cabasaran road and the one kilometer Cabingan-Dacung road in Marawi City, each worth P12 million; construction of water system in Datu Abdullah Sangki with an appropriation of P9 million; and the construction of a two kilometer protection dike in Mamasapano worth P3.5 million. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the

region together with the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG)-ARMM inked a memorandum of agreement on the implementation of the said projects with the municipal governments of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, Datu Abdullah Sangki (DAS) and Mamasapano in Maguindanao, and the city of Marawi on September 21 and 22, 2015 at the Office of the Bangsamoro People in Cotabato City. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha Loong, Mayor Jasper Que


of Bongao, Mayor Tahirodin Ampatuan of Mamasapano, Mayor Marian Mangudadatu of Datu Abdullah Sangki, and Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic of Marawi city attended the MOA signing. Loong said the implementation of infra projects in Bongao will “boost the tourism of the municipality as it will attract more visitors and tourists in the nature park.” On the other hand, the water system in DAS which includes the building of a water tank will provide steady supply of water for the community which, according to him, is “one of their major necessities of the people in the area.” The two kilometer protection dike in Mamasapano will help protect the farmlands and people in the area against the seasonal overflowing of the Tukanalipao river.

“The dike will have a huge impact in flood control and in the success of the agricultural aspect and economy of the municipality,” said Loong. The DPWH-ARMM said the infrastructure projects for Marawi City and DAS fall under the CY 2015 Regular Infra Funds of the agency, part of the more than P10 billion approved budget for the rehabilitation, construction and/or repair of local and major roads, bridges, seaports, and other infrastructure projects in the ARMM. On the other hand, the project in Mamasapano falls under the CY 2014 Bottom-Up Budget projects of the agency. Loong said the projects are demand-driven which have funding separate from the annual regular infrastructure funds of the agency.


Davao City Bulk Water project seen to pro-tect aquifers

DAVAO CITY- The P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Project to be undertaken by the Davao City Water Dis-trict and the Apo Agua In-frastructura In-corporated will protect the city’s groundwater.

By: RG Alama

According to Atty. Bernard De-lima, DCWD spokesperson, said there are indications that Davao City’s groundwater supply is be-ing overextracted. “There is really a need to rest our groundwater.” Delima said. The project entails DCWD buying water from Apo Agua who are obligated to deliver

about 300 million liters of wa-ter per year at a buying price of P12.25 per cubic meter. The Tamugan River will be utilized as source of the surface water for the project. P10-billion will be spent on part A of the project which will involve the development of the treatment plant and other facilities in the Tamugan River while P2-billion


to be undertaken by DCWD will be spent on part B which will es-tablish the reservoir. Delima said that Tamugan’s water is of good quality, liken-ing it to Dumoy aquifer because of its clarity and taste. Dumoy water has been dubbed as the world’s second best water. Apo Agua is a joint venture between the Aboitiz Equity Ven-tures and J.V. Angeles Construc-tion Corporation. Bobby Orig, first vice- pres-ident for Mindanao of Aboitiz Power said the plant is the first in the country to have a power plant constructed for the treat-ment plant. The two megawatt hydro power plant will just be enough to power the fa-cilities. He also said that the water will flow to the pipes through gravity, rather than being pumped by pumping stations. DCWD is paying P400 million per year in power costs major-ity of which is consumed by the pumping stations. “In case of brown-outs, the plant will still deliver water.” Orig said. He also added that the project will only entail about 1% of the conservation area of the Talomo watershed.

According to Delima, they are finalizing the key points be-ing agreed with the Watershed Management Council before it will be passed to the Davao City Council for approval. The bulk water project is planned to be operational by 2019.


DAVAO CITY, Sept 30 (PIA) Stakeholders of the Tourism industry will gather from October 1 to October 4 for the 16th National Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center.

National Tourism confab slated in Davao City

Lysette Marques, tourism officer of Davao City said tourism of-ficers and tourism council mem-bers are expected to be part of the 1,000 delegates nationwide, are expected to join. She said the same con-fab was done in Bacolod City and Albay Province in 2014 and 2013, respectively. “It is a convention rotated in Luzon, Visayas and Mind-anao and it is the first time that Davao City is hosting the activ-ity,” Marques said. She said Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will open officially the convention. Marques said the inputs of the convention will highlight the needs of the tourism stakehold-ers in Mindanao. She said participants will also be given the chance to tour around local tourist destinations for benchmarking. “We will also showcase the common trekking policy among

six local government units sur-rounding Mt. Apo, the highest peak of the country,” Marques said. She said a speaker from Malaysia is also expected to share about Islamic and Halal tourism. (PIA 11-JSGD)


Army welcomes DOJ’s investigation

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA) welcomes the move of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the creation of a Special Investigation Team to look into the killing of three people at Sitio Han-ayan, Brgy. Diatagon, Surigao del Sur last September 1, 2015.


The Special Investigation Team that will initiate a “thorough and in-depth investigation and case-build-up” will once and for all separate the facts from propaganda. Also, it may look into the underlying events that brought the conflict affecting the indigenous peoples (IPs) living peacefully in their communities. It can be recalled that the 4ID assisted the provincial government of Surigao del Sur specifically the Peace and Order Council on its fact finding mission to aid the investigation. It resulted to the establishment of Task Force ‘Tejero,’ a joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operation

that is tasked to capture the perpetrators of the recent killing incident in Surigao in order for them to shed light on the crimes they have committed. The 4ID, PA, in a press statement, said the presence of the army in the area is to promote peace and assist government agencies in the delivery of government services in isolated IP communities who are very much vulnerable to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels’ exploitation. They are there for peace-keeping mission to prevent further escalation of violence, the statement read.


We will not surrender – Tejero

BUTUAN CITY - “We will not surrender,” this was the statement of Datu Bobby Tejero, one of the suspects in the killings of three people in Lianga, Surigao del Sur recently. In an exclusive interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner Caga, Tejero admitted that they are former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who veered away from the injustices and criminal activities of the communist group as well as atrocities against innocent civilians especially the lumads, which are in contrast to the rebels’ pro-people and pro-human rights

claims. “We realized how fighting with them became a lost cause after experiencing suffering from the rotten system of the revolutionary organization,” he added. Tejero also claimed that they have around 1,500 armed baganis with 48 leaders ready to fight against the NPA rebels. “We will target all their legal fronts and we will not stop


until they will be decimated and defeated because they are the ones occupying our area,” said Tejero. “They (NPA rebels) trained us to be fierce and fearless with the use of ammunition, we just want to give back what we have learned from them,” he added. He then accused the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod or MAPASU and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Inc. or ALCADEV as the legal fronts of the NPA. “These organizations are the ones manipulating the indigenous peoples. The MAPASU organization is also responsible in the mass evacuation of the

lumads in Tandag City. We want to end this manipulation, because our brother lumads have long been wanted to go home,” said Tejero. Meanwhile, the warrants of arrest have already been issued against sibling Datu Bobby and Loloy Tejero as well as Garito Layno, and several John Does of the bagani paramilitary group who were held responsible for the killings of ALCADEV executive director Emerito Samarca; MAPASU chair Dionel Campos; and civilian Aurello Sinzo last September 1 in Lianga. They are facing charges of three counts of murder, robbery, grave coercion, and arson.

Arrest warrants out vs. 3 suspects on lumad slay in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The warrants of arrest have already been issued against the primary suspects on the killings of three lumads in Surigao del Sur on September 1, 2015.

P/Supt. Joseph Boquiren, PNP deputy provincial director for administration (DPDA) here,

bared the information during the Peace and Order and Public Safety Committee Meeting


chaired by Board Member Henrich Pimentel held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall on September 28. Boquiren, representing P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, PNP provincial director, who was said to be out of town due to an official business, showed up at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through the invitation of the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety, together with Col. Isidro Purisima, brigade commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA). The police official identified the accused as Bobby Tejero, Loloy Tejero, and Garito Layno, who are facing charges of three

counts of murder, robbery, grave coercion, and arson. No bail was recommended, he stressed. In this connection, Task Force Bangkaw headed by P/SSupt. Verdadero, was already created to go after the perpetrators allegedly responsible for the death of three lumad victims—Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Bello Sinzo, Boquiren added. The respective warrants of arrest for the three accused were issued by Acting Presiding Judge Edwin Malazarte of Branch 28 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Lianga, this province on September 22, 2015, it was learned.


Strategic planning, workshop held to support Cacao Industry in ZamPen

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) – To generate support toward the increasing cacao production and strengthen the Cacao Industry Cluster in Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 spearheaded the conduct of strategic planning and workshop here at the Grand Astoria Hotel on Sept. 28-29.


Promoting public private partnership, business establishments from the private sector and government agencies participated in the activity to come up with the Value Chain Map and Action Plan of the Cacao Industry Cluster. Cacao is regarded as one of the priority high value crops identified by the government due to its emerging prospects in both local and foreign markets. The crop has also been a major source of livelihood for most local farmers over the years. As one of the emerging products of the region, the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 passed Resolution No.

040, series of 2015 approving Cacao as an emerging product of Zamboanga Peninsula to gain support from the various sectors in the community. “We are trying to jumpstart the cacao industry in Mindanao because of the diminishing supply of cacao in the world market, and Mindanao has a very big chance to catch up to be a big supplier of cacao,” Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said in a report. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) revealed that the country has a total cocoa production of about


4 thousand metric tons in 2013. Zamboanga Peninsula region is the third producing region with a total output of 103.51 metric tons next to Davao region with more than 3 thousand metric tons and Northern Mindanao with 193.31 metric tons. Region 9 has a total plantation of 348 hectares with a total of 88 thousand fruit bearing trees. Included in the discussion of

the two-day workshop are: Cacao Industry Profile and sharing of Southern Mindanao Cluster Industry Road Map; Introduction of the Value Chain Approach (definition, value chain map, rationale of promoting value chain and greening the value chain). Furthermore, the ZamPen Cacao Industry Cluster Team will also be organized in the activity.

Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force gets P2.5-M patrol boat By Franklin P. Gumapon


Speaking during the patrol boat launching held at Barangay Osukan here, Col. Jesus Mananquil Jr., commanding officer of the 101st Infantry Brigade, PA, emphasized that the goal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) “is to promote peace and order in the whole of Mindanao.” “With this patrol boat, the Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force which is composed of the army, police, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders, will now be able to run after illegal fishing, piracy, kidnapping, extortion and other forms criminalities perpetrated by the lawless groups in the province’s third district,”

Mananquil said. The P2.5-million patrol boat was acquired through the congressional office of Congressman Isagani S. Amatong, representative of the third district. On behalf of Congressman Amatong, his chief of staff, Adrian A. Amatong said, “no single agency of the government can solve the problems of illegal fishing, piracy or extortion activities,” as these need collective efforts among government agencies. For his part, Engr. Joseph Florig, assistant regional director of BFAR-9, expressed his gratitude to all agencies and organizations, which take part in protecting the seas and the marine resources saying “BFAR before acted alone and it was a lonely job.”“Ang dagat problema kay daghan man ang tag-iya dili sama sa yuta nga kadtong lamang adunay

LABASON, Zamboanga del Norte, Oct. 1 (PIA) – To ward off attacks by lawless elements operating in the coastal towns of Zamboanga del Norte’s third district, a patrol boat has been turned-over recently to the Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force led by the 21st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (PA) based in the area.


titulo maoy manag-iya (The sea is a problem because a number own it, unlike the lands that only those with land titles owning them),” Florig explained. The BFAR official also hoped that the involvement of the different agencies in the fight against illegal fishing would continue. Moreover, Vice Governor Senen O. Angeles also said “the unified movement for Batay

Dagat/Kalikasan is a very good move in the protection against piracy, terrorism, kidnapping and illegal fishing that would redound to the protection of our environment.” Nine of the 13 municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte’s third district have coastal barangays facing the Sulu Sea that stretches up to Zamboanga City.


titulo maoy manag-iya (The sea is a problem because a number own it, unlike the lands that only those with land titles owning them),” Florig explained.

The BFAR official also hoped that the involvement of the different agencies in the fight against illegal fishing would continue.

Moreover, Vice Governor Senen O. Angeles also said “the unified movement for Batay Dagat/Kalikasan is a very good move in the protection against piracy, terrorism, kidnapping and illegal fishing that would redound to the protection of our environment.”

Nine of the 13 municipalities

of Zamboanga del Norte’s third district have coastal barangays facing the Sulu Sea that stretches up to Zamboanga City.

One Mindanao - September 30, 2015

Documents

Transcript of One Mindanao - September 30, 2015