One Mindanao - December 21, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

Cover Story

“Builders of peace,” Sagip

Kapamilya help Sarangani

village

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

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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

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

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

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

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Cocoy SexcionCentral Mindanao page 4

Today’s issue...Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 Vol. 1 No. 129

Western Mindanao

Aquino creates task force to investigate deadly flashflood in Mindanao

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

WFP rush dispatch of high-energy biscuits for PHL’s TS Sendong victims

Apipa Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

More assistance for typhoon victims urged

President Aquino exhorts residents to heed evacuation warnings

Grace Almedilla, Southern MindanaoComVal public servants, individuals honored in Gawad Parangal

Glan considers Baywalk construction to boost tourismCT Apelacio , Central Mindanao

Construction of P15-M ARMM housing project setPerlita Changco, Central Mindanao

PNP-Caraga deploys search, rescue & retrieval contingent to PRO-10 PSUPT Martin M Gamba, Caraga Region

11 Caraga studes qualify for 2012 Phil. Science High School scholarship Nora CL Molde, Caraga Region

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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Northern MindanaoWFP backs PH response to storm Washi 25

Aquino leads AFP Day in Quezon City 13

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4 Wednesday, December 21, 2011ONE MINDANAO

“Builders of peace,” Sagip Kapamilya help Sarangani village

Cover Story

A two-classroom school building was inaugurated and formally turned over recently to the community of Lamlifew, a Blaan village.

by Cocoy Sexcion

5Wednesday, December 21, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

“Builders of peace,” Sagip Kapamilya help Sarangani village

It was also the launch-ing of a 120-day feeding program for the pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School. The projects were car-ried out through the con-certed effort of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines through the National De-velopment Support Com-mand (NADESCOM), ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya “Gusto kong mag aral” program, Mu-nicipal Government of Malungon, Department of Education and the Provin-cial Government of Saran-gani. The P800,000 school building for Lamlifew El-ementary School and an-other school building in


barangay San Jose in Gen-eral Santos were part of the 12 school buildings completed nationwide by soldiers from NADESCOM, said Capt. William Rodri-guez, public affairs offi-cer of Sarangani-based 1002nd Brigade. The turnover was wit-nessed by Major Gener-al Carlos Holganza, com-mander of NADESCOM; Tina Monzon Palma, pro-

gram director of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya; Gov-ernor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Reynaldo Constan-tino, Vice Governor Steve Solon, Congressman Man-ny Pacquiao’s chief of staff Bren Evangelio, and other stakeholders who contrib-uted for the completion of the project. General Holganza thanked the community


for the support given to the construction soldiers. “Without you, we will not be here. I hope we will be able to continue our rela-tionships in this way. We are here to serve and we will continue to serve,” Holganza said. “From managers of wars, our soldiers now are builders of peace,” Hol-ganza added. Vice Governor Solon lauded the efforts of the community for effectively managing the community-based living museum.

“The governor put in assistance initially, and it was the commu-nity itself that is running the mu-seum and the tourism aspect of the community,” Solon said. Sitio Lamlifew was officially de-

clared as living museum of Blaans during its launch in November 2008. “In behalf of the prov-ince, maraming salamat to Sagip Kapamilya,” Gover-nor Migs Dominguez told the crowd. “Ngayong araw na ito, meron isang makasay-sayang nangyari sa inyong lugar. Nagkaroon ng isang dalawang classroom at ito ay itinayo ng mga taong nagmamahal sa inyo. (To-day, a historic event hap-pened. A two classroom building is constructed in


your place by people who loves you),” said Tina Mon-zon Palma. Palma said that part of the event is the launching of a 120-day feeding pro-gram for the pupils of Lam-lifew Elementary School

through the Bantay Bata 163. Palma also promised to give rewards to pupils who will gain weight of at least five kilograms after the feeding program.

9 Wednesday, December 21, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

World Bank, Asian Development Bank to extend loans for Mindanao rehabilitation

Assistance from foreign countries are pouring in after the country was hit by devastating Typhoon Sendong with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank making pledges to lend additional money

for the Philippines, President Aquino said on Tuesday.

In his speech be-fore the evacuees in Ca-gayan de Oro City during his visit on Tuesday, the President said the ADB committed $3-million loan for the Philippines that could be used for the rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas.

He added that the World Bank also pledged to release a $500-million loan with low interest rate in case the govern-ment need more funds for disaster-response. The President said ADB’s loan is a previous offer after the Philippines

invested in the bank in the past. He said the payoff is for the country to avail of the money in-tended for natural disas-ters. Aside from this pool of funds that can be ac-cessed by the govern-ment, President Aquino

10 Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Aquino creates task force to investigate deadly flashflood in MindanaoPresident Benigno S. Aquino III said he created a

task force that will investigate the devastating flashfloods that killed more than 800 people in Region 10 and identity those accountable and

prevent it from happening again.

said the country still has a P1.17 billion calamity fund, as well as other funds that can still be tapped. But he said us-ing the other sources of money will depend on the recommendation of his economic team. Besides monetary offers, there are assis-tance being offered by the US, Japan, China, Russia, Spain and many other countries, he said. “ Ta u s - p u s o n g pasasalamat po ang ipi-nararating natin sa mga

kaibigan ng bansang Pilipinas at ng mga Pili-pino. Wala pong duda babangon ang Cagayan de Oro at ang Iligan at ang iba pang tinamaan ni Sendong,” he said. With all the assis-tance being extended, the President noted that government will have to assess the recent initia-tives to determine what is needed. The President vis-ited Cagayan de Oro, Ili-gan City and Dumaguete City on Tuesday to over-

see the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. He also led the distribu-tion of relief assistance to evacuees in those ar-eas. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) more than 900 people were killed in the flashfloods in Region 10 brought about by Typhoon Sendong. Scores of people were also missing, the agency said. (AS)


“Nagbuo na tayo ng isang task force mula sa kinatawan ng Depart-ment of Interior and Lo-cal Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD), Depart-ment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of

Environment and Natu-ral Resources (DENR), at pati nang Mindanao Development Authority,” the President said in a speech in Cagayan de Oro City when he visited the evacuees there on Tuesday. “Sila po ang mag-iimbestiga sa lahat, kasa-ma ang pagbibigay ng lunas at tugon sa ating mga katanungan para

hindi na maulit ang tra-hedyang ito. Kailngang malaman kung saan nagkulang, kung sino ang may pagkukulang at kung paano ito dapat panagutan,” he added. At the same time, the President said he ex-pects the newly appoint-ed governor of the Auton-omous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to curb illegal logging in the


region that causes flash-floods and disasters. “Inaasahan ko rin na buong loob na ipatu-tupad ng bagong itinala-gang ARMM OIC gover-nor na si Mujib Hataman ang iniaatas kong total log ban on natural for-ests na ang ulat po sa akin ay walang habas na nilalabag ng mga illegal loggers sa kanya pong rehiyon,” he noted. The President said he wants the fact finding team to come up with a report soon so his admin-istration can take action.

He told reporters that he would be displeased if the investigation takes more than three months. The investigation will focus on Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Dum-aguete City, the President said, adding that other areas will likewise be in-cluded. Asked about the need to seriously look into illegal mining and il-legal logging and amend-ing the existing laws, the President said the rights of businesses must be respected.

He said logging conces-sioners has the right to harvest the trees that they planted and the government can’t easily stop their operations. “Hindi natin puwe-deng sabihin, bigla na lang ‘Oops, sa gobyer-no yan, sa tao na yan.’ Parang inagaw mo yung kanilang ari-arian at hin-di puwede yun. Ngayon ang natuklasan natin, dito sa Iligan at nakikita n’yo doon sa baybaying-dagat nila, napakaram-ing troso at paniwala nga po nanggaling po ito sa Lanao,” he said. This is the reason why he instructed the new ARMM Governor Mu-jib Hataman to investi-gate illegal logging in the region, the President said adding that he wondered why it appeared that the total log ban wasn’t be-ing implemented in the ARMM. (AS)


Aquino leads AFP Day in Quezon City

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the government’s unwavering support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) not only in terms of equipment modernization but also in providing their much-deserved

benefits to buttress their efforts in defending the country and the Filipino people.

Speaking before the officers and members of the 126,053-strong men and women of the AFP, led by their newly-installed Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Jes-

sie Dellosa during the cel-ebration of the 76th AFP Day at the AFP General Headquarters Grandstand in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City

on Wednesday, President Aquino said that while there may be many trials along the way, the AFP is slowly but surely gaining grounds towards a bet-


ter and more capable de-fense force anchored on righteousness and sincere service to the people. “Mulat po tayong ang isang pangkat na in-atasang magtanggol ng ating bansa ay karapat-dapat na bigyang suporta at pagkalooban ng sapat na kagamitan upang mas epektibo nilang matupad ang kanilang tungkulin. Hindi man natin ura-ura-dang mareresolba ang la-hat ng problema, unti-unti na nating dinadagdagan at pinauunlad ang inyong mga kagamitan upang lalo pa ninyong maipama-

las at maipagmalaki ang kahusayan at kagitingan ng sundalong Pilipino,” the President said as he acknowledged the needs of every soldier that are being looked into by the government. “Maliban sa mod-ernisasyon, puspusan din ang pagtutok ng ating ad-ministrasyon sa paghahatid ng inyong mga karapat-dapat na benepisyo: Mula sa pagkalinga sa inyong kalusugan, hanggang sa paglinang sa inyong mga kasanayan; mula sa de-kalidad na edukasyon ng inyong supling, hanggang

sa pabahay para sa inyong mag-anak; pursigido ang gobyernong arugain kayo at ang inyong pamilya,” he stressed. The Chief Execu-tive expressed high hopes that the AFP will contin-ue to focus on their du-ties and responsibilities to maintain peace and order in the country. “Sa darating pong kapaskuhan at pagsa-lubong natin sa bagong taon, alam kong manana-tiling mapagmatyag at tu-


tok sa serbisyo ang ating mga sundalo. Hindi man ganap na makakapag-bakasyon ang ating mga kawal sa mga araw na ito, alam ko pong nagkakaisa tayo sa nais patunguhan ng ating mga sakripisyo; ito ang araw-araw na pagbabakasyon ng bansa mula sa kaguluhan, kati-walian at kahirapan,” he said. The President also assured that the govern-ment will remain adamant in effecting reforms in the

AFP to make sure that their funds will be used only in serving the needs of every Filipino soldier.

“Isinasaayos na po natin ang sistema sa pama-malakad at transaksyon sa ating Sandatahang Lakas. Hindi na po natin papaya-gan ang pagpapakasasa ng iilan sa pondong dapat ay dumidiretso sa kapa-kanan ng mga sundalo. Sagrado ang pondong ini-lalaan ng ating mga kaba-bayan, kung kaya’t hindi natin ito gagamitin sa ma-ling paraan,” the President said. The President thanked the AFP person-nel for their full support in the government’s pro-grams aimed at uplifting and protecting the lives of the people as he cited the AFP’s important role in the search and rescue, reha-bilitation and reconstruc-tion efforts in times of ca-lamities. “Nito nga pong mga nakalipas na araw, muli na naman pong pinatunayan

ng ating kasundaluhan ang kanilang dedikasyon at pananagutan sa ka-tungkulan. Sa pagbisita natin sa Cagayan de Oro, Iligan at Dumaguete, saksi tayo sa kalunos-lunos na resulta ng biglaang dami at lakas ng buhos ng ulan sa Silangang Visayas at sa Mindanao,” President Aquino noted. “Katuwang ang ating Sandatahang Lakas, pinangunahan at patu-loy nating isinasagawa ang mga operasyon at paghahatid ng tulong sa mga nasalantang lugar… kasama ang sambayanan, taos-puso po akong nag-papasalamat sa inyong wagas na pagsasakripisyo para sa kapwa-Pilipino,” he said. Also present during the event were former president Fidel Ramos, Defense Secretary Voltare Gazmin and other officials of the AFP’s major com-mands. Anchored on the theme: “Bayanihan, Ka-payapaan, Kaunlaran,”


this year’s AFP Day cel-ebration was highlighted by the awarding of 14 of AFP’s deserving personnel who contributed to the ad-vancement and promotion of the armed force’s In-ternal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan’. Upon his arrival, President Aquino was given full military honors by the Philippine Military

Academy (PMA) cadets. The 14 awardees coming from both the military and civilian work-force were given AFP med-als, they are Cpl Isagani Zamora (PN/Marines); BGen. Nestor Anonuevo; 1Lt Guy Ray Madrid (PA); Cpl Abraham Parreno (PA); MGen. Francisco Cruz Jr.; Col Oscar Lactao (PA); RAdm Edgardo Tamayo;

Ret. Col Bradley Turner of the United States Marine Corps; Cafgu Active Auxil-lary Eddie Castro; SSg Jef-frey Feria (PAF); 1st Class Cadet LtCol Charles Antho-ny Catabras; 1st Class Ca-det Col Jenith Brene Cor-pis; Raniel Sacramento, civilian employee from the PAF; and Nelson Canovas, civilian employee from the PN. (JCL)


Our Lady of Fatima church brings food and supplies to flood victims

No bundles of joy this Christmas for the poor people in our parish, instead we will give it to the flood victims in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities.

piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]


This was an-nounced by Fely Es-perante, Our Lady of Fatima Church parish worker in Tugas, Balan-gan District, who along with parish volunteers busy repacking donat-ed goods quoting parish priest Archie Marane in his text message sent yesterday. Esperante said the he received text message from Marane ordering them to im-mediately repack the donated foods and sup-plies for them to dis-tribute to the affected families in the said cit-ies. Esperante said less than 400 parishio-ners in Balangasan who traditionally held their ‘bundles of joy’ project to the less fortunate people every Christmas will not be pushed thru this year saying that foods and supplies do-nated by their parish-ioners will go to the flood victims who suf-fered damage to their houses, and are expe-riencing food shortage, clean water, etc. due to the great devastation spawned by tropical ty-phoon Sendong on De-

cember 17. “We will be send-ing these items tomor-row in Cagayan and Ili-gan since it is painful for us to see them suf-fer needlessly,” said Es-perante. Meanwhile, Sto, Niño cathedral church worker Nerlinda Loques said the church will be sending foods and supplies to the flood victims. “We are now busy repacking the do-nations coming from

the Catholic faithfuls,” Loques said in an in-terview.Loques said the church has made an appeal to the faithfuls during the Holy mass offertory to donate cash or in kind for the flood victims. The items will be jointly sent to the affect-ed areas on Wednesday morning where load-ing will be done in front of Sto. Niño cathedral. (JPA/GCC/PIA-Pag-adian)


WFP rush dispatch of high-energy biscuits for PHL’s TS Sendong victimsISABELA CITY – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has responded to a Philippine Government request for immediate food, non-food items and logistics support for Government’s relief effort to assist people affected by Tropical Storm Washi, which battered Northern Mindanao from 16 to 18 December 2011.

In coordination with

the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD) and the Philippine Air Force, WFP immediately dispatched 3 tons of high-energy biscuits to the affected

areas to assist 7,800 of the most vulnerable people who cannot easi-ly cook food. In addition, WFP has already mobi-lized and delivered key items needed for the re-lief operation, including

water tanks and a mo-bile storage tent. “We are deeply sad-dened by the tragic loss of lives and displacement as a result of the storm and flash floods,” says


More assistance for typhoon victims urged

Zamboanga City 1st District Representative Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar is calling for more assistance for the victims of typhoon Sendong in

the neighboring cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

WFP Country Director and Representative Ste-phen L. Anderson. “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Filipino people who have suffered from the floods, lost family mem-bers or friends.” The Government has specifically request-ed WFP emergency food and non-food items – such as blankets, water tanks, tarpaulins and tents – for over 74,000 people in the areas of Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City and Kinoguitan of Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City,

Lanao del Norte, as well as logistics support to help transport govern-ment relief items to af-fected communities in Northern Mindanao. Specific WFP sup-port will be determined by the results of ongoing joint assessments with the government, UN and other humanitarian agencies. “WFP staff is work-ing around the clock to support people in these communities – many who have lost everything” Anderson explains. “Our swift response to support the Government’s relief

effort has been helped by the fact that we have existing operations in Central Mindanao focus-ing on populations who have been affected by conflict and natural di-sasters.” Since 2006, WFP has had two offices with 70 staff in Cotabato City and Iligan City. WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries. (WFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

In a statement re-leased by her office, Cli-maco-Salazar said, “these cities are our neighbors and we see the devasta-

tion the typhoon left. Our coordination with city officials in Ca-gayan de Oro and Iligan, together with their church

leaders, call upon us, es-pecially neighboring cities to help rebuild the lives of our brothers and sis-ters there”.


The lady solon has initiated measures to gather assistance for the victims, tapping the aca-deme and some non-gov-ernment organizations to hasten relief opera-tions. “Through the Ate-neo de Zamboanga Uni-versity, we have mobilized organizations to gather all donations so we can send them to the cities concerned”, Cli-mac0-Salazar said. Earlier, the city gov-ernment approved the P2 M assistance to the typhoon-ravaged cities of Cagayan de Oro and Ili-gan per recommendation of Mayor Celso Lobregat. Climaco-Salazar also lauded employees of a canning factory here

for cancelling their Christ-mas party, and instead, donated some money, relief goods and blankets for the victims. She is ap-pealing for others to show the same solidarity these employees manifested. “I appeal for more donations to be sent to Ateneo de Zamboanga University and our office. We do all possible means to extend our help to the victims of typhoon Sen-dong. Our help will truly make the season of giv-ing more meaningful”, she said. In another develop-ment, City Mayor Celso asked Zamboanga City Water District to send a water tanker to Cagayan de Oro City to supply the victims with clean drink-

ing water. Lobregat talked to ZCWD Board Members and General Manager Chito Vasquez to approve his request as part of the city government’s assis-tance. The Board promised Lobregat to discuss and approve his request in to-day’s board meeting. If approved, ZCWD will be sending a water tanker, with some person-nel to Cagayan de Oro to supervise the distribution of potable water to the af-fected areas. Cong. Climaco-Salazar said 80% of wa-ter supply in the city was contaminated and clean water is one of their im-mediate needs. (JPA/MVC/PIA9- ZBST)


PNoy forms task force to look into ‘root cause’ of tragedyby Jayson P. LeguiabP resident

Benigno S. Aquino III

said he has formed a task force to investi-

gate the tragedy that befell victims of trop-ical storm “Sendong.”

“Wala po tayong hangad na magturo kung sino ang dapat sisihin sa ganitong panahon. Ngunit obligasyon nating tukuyin kung ano ang nangyari,” PNoy said in his speech. (We do not intend to lay blame on anyone at this time. But it is our obligation to get into the bottom of things.) The President said the PAGASA, the country’s weather bureau, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Council have repeatedly warned residents of Isla de Oro that the area is prone to disaster, based

on the geohazard map, which the said agencies have shared with the local government units. Further, he said that total log ban have been declared, even as the administration has launched its National Greening Program to promote planting of trees nationwide. “Bakit po may mga ulat ng mga trosong tinatangay ng ilog mula Lanao del Norte patungong Iligan”? he asked. “Bakit po ba may nagpipilit pa ring gumawa ng mali?”


(Why are there reports of logs floating down the river from Lanao del Sur to Iligan? Why do people insist on doing the wrong thing?) In Isla de Oro alone, 1,260 families were affected (or 5,440 people); 12 deaths reported; 15 persons missing and 38 persons injured, according to data posted by the Department of Social Work and Development at the Cagayan de Oro City Central School, an evacuation center. Further, PNoy said that the tragedy should be investigated to prevent a repeat, as lives even of the rescuers were lost during rescue operations. “Para hindi maulit ang trahedyang

ito, kailangang malaman kung saan nagkulang, kung sino ang may pagkukulang, at kung paano ito dapat panagutan,” PNoy said. (So as not to experience the tragedy again, we must know what we lack, who has the defect, and how we should respond.) The task force is made up of representatives from government agencies such as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Mindanao Development Authority. Meanwhile, PNoy is keen on the implementation of the total log ban in the ARMM region and instructed newly appointed ARMM OIC-Governor Muriv Hataman to strictly put it into operation. (rda/jpl/PIA-GHQ)


President Aquino exhorts residents to heed evacuation warningsby Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has called on residents here to heed evacuation warnings in order to prevent the loss of many lives in times of disaster.

During his visit to typhoon victims housed at City Central School here, the President said ignoring warnings will not only put the community in danger but also the rescuer who is willing to put his life at risk to help others. The President was also baffled why there are still residents in Isla de Oro, one of the severely hit areas in the city, when it was identified as a danger zone based on the country’s geohazard map. Data from the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) disclosed that about 5,440 persons were

affected in the area with 12 dead, 15 missing, and 38 injured. Meanwhile, the President has assured the residents that the government is doing all efforts to rehabilitate their homes. According to him, jobs and livelihood will also be afforded to them. He, however, asked them to learn from their mistakes and urged them not to return to their places if such were

identified as disaster-prone areas. (RDA/APB/PIA-10)


President Aquino exhorts residents to heed evacuation warnings

WFP backs PH response to storm Washi

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is responding to a Philippine Government request for immediate food, non-food items and logistics support for Government’s relief effort

to assist people affected by Tropical Storm Washi, which battered Northern Mindanao from 16 to 18 December 2011.

In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Air Force, WFP immediately dispatched 3 tons of high-energy biscuits to the affected areas to assist 7,800 of the most vulnerable people who cannot easily cook food. In addition, WFP has already mobilized and delivered key items needed for the relief operation, including water tanks and a mobile storage tent. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and displacement as a result of the storm and flash floods,” says WFP Country Director and Representative Stephen L. Anderson. “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Filipino people who

have suffered from the floods, lost family members or friends.” The Government has specifically requested WFP emergency food and non-food items – such as blankets, water tanks, tarpaulins and tents – for over 74,000 people in the areas of Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City and Kinoguitan of Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City,Lanao del Norte, as well as logistics support to help transport government relief items to affected communities in Northern Mindanao. Specific WFP support will be determined by the results of ongoing joint assessments with the government, UN and other humanitarian agencies.“WFP staff is working around the clock to support people in these

communities – many who have lost everything” Anderson explains. “Our swift response to support the Government’s relief effort has been helped by the fact that we have existing operations in Central Mindanao focusing on populations who have been affected by conflict and natural disasters.” Since 2006, WFP has had two (2) offices with 70 staff in Cotabato City and Iligan City.


Mamangan residents receive social services as Christmas treatby Noel Baguio

Sleepy residents of the far-flung village of Mamangan in

San Isidro, Davao del Norte were not intimidated nor frightened when the roaring sound of military trucks and police cars, along with other public vehicles, awakened them. The local folks knew the armed units were deployed to assist in the

free community health and social services being held under the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development program. It was the eight stop of the convergence initiative, which has already benefitted over 10,000 indigents since it was started four months ago by the Provincial Government, led by Gov. Rodolfo P. del Ro-sario. The residents did not mind the light drizzle on that gold-en morning of December 15,

2011. Yet, they were not quite aware that a plethora of health and social services is going to rain down on their remote, mountainous village, over 50 kilometers away from the Capital City of Tagum. Thirty-nine-year old Merlita To-rado could not believe her eyes when she joined hundreds of others to line up for the free medical check-ups.


“Dako kaayo ang akong pasalamat ug nalipay jud ko nga nahitabo ni diri sa among dapit (I am quite thankful and overjoyed that this happened in our place),” the mother of nine beamed. About a thousand residents, to include those coming from neighbor-ing barangays, availed of the gener-ous social and health services that day. The services include medical and dental services, minor surgery and circumcision, urinalysis, blood typing, hemoglobin count, nutrition servic-es, sanitary toilet bowls distribution, malaria control, mass blood survey, pregnancy package kit, among other services.

Doctors, nurses and health workers from the Provincial Health Office, were joined by military doctors in attending to patients. Agriculture and veterinary services were also provided, such as vegetable seeds and seedlings distribution, anti-ra-bies vaccine and animal care services. While the children were given toothbrushes, tooth-pastes and slippers, as well. Hairstylists from the Pro-

gressive Gays and Lesbians of Davao del Norte (PROGLAD) offered their solidarity too by providing free hair-cut services. The spirit of Christmas was very much alive when Gov. del Rosario led the distribution of used clothing and other gifts to residents, including overflowing candies to the children, courtesy of the chiefs of offices of the Capitol. “We want them to be happy this Christmas,” he said. A military band, top billed by an Army Santa, with all his magic tricks and antics, further lent more color to the activity. Buoyed up by the overwhelming success of the convergence program initially in eight barangays this year, the governor resolved to sustain the project by holding at least two out-reaches per month in 2012. The Governor said he was so happy the people accepted the pro-gram wholeheartedly, judging from the tremendous turnout and good feedbacks he received. Mayor Rosebella Abelita-Nana


was all praises to the governor and to all the major stakeholders who helped make the activity happen. “Thank you very much for caring for my people,” she said. Two episodes of the outreach programs were held in the distant municipality, which is being tagged as the “Sikwate” (black chocolate) Capital of the province. Indeed, it would be Christmas yet all time next year, especially to those barangays that are already on deck as next beneficiaries of the convergence program in 2012.

regional gallerySocial workers help children choose the right slippers during the social and health services outreach in Maman-gan, San Isidro town, under the Davao del Norte Conver-gence for Peace and Develop-ment program. (Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO)

Workers put some finishing touches to sanitary toilet bowls which will be distributed to households during the social and health services outreach in Mamangan, San Isidro town, under the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development program. (Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO)


ComVal public servants, individuals honored in Gawad ParangalNABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley — A hundred Comvalenyos were recently honored in the Gawad Parangal for their exemplary per-formance in their respective fields and in promoting good gover-nance. Government employees and oth-er individuals as well as the local gov-ernment units and organizations were given due citations during the annual Gawad Parangal held on December 8 at the Capitol. Governor Arturo T. Uy and Con-gresswoman Maricar Z. Apsay hand-ed plaques of recognitions to the awardees which include Municipal Mayors, Barangay Captains, employ-ees of the local governments and na-tional line agencies, schools, and pri-

vate individuals. The Gawad Parangal, a program initiated by Uy, was part of the Pro-vincial Thanksgiving Day Celebration of the province. Uy emphasized that the pro-gram would make his constituents aware that the governor is not alone in working for the province’s success and development. He said the awardees will show that there are many hardworking, skilled and talented people behind the triumphs of Compostela Valley. In closing the program, Sang-guniang Panlalawigan Member Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga said that they are hoping many more Comvalenyos will come on stage by 2012 to receive recognitions. (IDS-Comval/Grace Almedilla)

did you know...

That Tagum City’s giant christmas tree measuring 106.8 feet tall used to be the tallest christmas tree in the country.

The present record is now claimed by Puerto Princesa City in Palawan whose christmas tree measures about 150-feet tall.


Photo by Jun Ramos/Sarangani PIO

Soccsksargen LGUs extend help to Sendong victimsby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Local government units in Soccsksargen Re-gion or Region 12 are extending help to victims of tropical storm Sendong.


Among those who have responded to calls for assistance are South Cotabato, Gen-eral Santos City, and Sarangani Province.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. during the Christmas party of the provincial press corps on Monday, said the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan has “ap-proved in principle” his request for a P1.5 mil-lion fund for the victims of the calamity in Ili-gan City and Cagayan de Oro City.

Pingoy said the as-sistance will be in the form of rice that will be given to the LGUs for distribution to the resi-

dents living in evacua-tion centers.

SP is meeting this afternoon to discuss the matter.

He also called on members of the me-dia, the Sangguniang Kabataan, and other residents of Koronadal and nearby places to participate in the re-

packing of more than 1,000 sacks of rice at the provincial capitol.

Pingoy expects to be able to send a team from the provincial gov-ernment to Northern Mindanao on Wednes-day to bring the assis-tance and relief goods intended for the flood victims.

The team will also bring some caskets that the LGU originally intended for residents.

Pingoy said , the disaster in Northern Mindanao “should be an eye-opener” for all local government units to be always prepared of calamitous events.

“This is the very reason that we have strengthened our Pro-vincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage-ment Office (PDRRMO); the province have to be prepared with possible calamities that could affect us,” he said.

“We have also coor-dinated with the Mines and Geosciences Bu-reau [of the Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources] to identify high risk ar-eas to flash floods and landslide,” he added.

MGB has already prepared geohazard maps for provinces in Soccksargen region and have informed city, municipal, and baran-gay officials of specific areas at risk of calami-ties.

Yesterday, Sa-rangani provincial governmen led by


Gov. Migs Dominguez has sent 300 sacks of rice, along with other food items and relief goods to the affected areas.

He has also called for doctors, nurses, and other volunteers to join a team from the provincial government unit who will serve as additional workers to take care of the flood victims.

General Santos City

Mayor Darlene Mag-nolia Antonino-Cus-todio on Monday met the CDRRMC for an emergency meeting; the council decided the city government will extend P500,000 for Iligan and another P500,000 for Cagayan de Oro.

Custodio also plead-ed for donations of used clothing, cook-ing utensils, food and other relief items that

could be distributed to the victims.

As of 6:00 am De-cember 20, report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said TS Sendong has left 957 deaths and 1,582 injured. Some 49 persons are still missing.

A total of 10,345 houses have been dam-aged; of this, 3,127 were totally damaged.

Glan considers Baywalk construction to boost tourismby CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --The municipal government of Glan is seriously considering constructing a baywalk using Dipolog Baywalk as its model fol-lowing an “Exposure Trip on Tourism Development” undertaken by its mu-nicipal officials in the area.

Back after a suc-cessful trip, Mayor Vic-tor James Yap Sr., de-scribed Dipolog to be similar with Glan’s wa-ter fronts, which he be-lieved would be suitable for a baywalk develop-ment.

“Dipolog and Glan have almost similar wa-ter fronts, and it might be a good idea to


have our own bay-walk patterned after that of Dipolog’s as an added come-on to our beautiful white sand beaches in Gumasa and our other local tourist attractions,” he said in a press release issued to PIA General Santos City.

Mayor Yap and his team visited the cities of Dapitan and Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte on December 7-9.

The 55-member delegation com-posed of “five mu-nicipal councilors, 25 of the town’s 31 barangay captains, three department heads and several municipal and na-tional employees” returned home on December 10.

The delegates be-lieved the trip was vital to help munici-pal councilors pass the needed legisla-tions, regulations or policies on tourism.

Tapon Barangay Captain Redempto Abiso, who is ex-officio Sanggunian member, said the experience from the trip has opened the

gateway for them to “broaden their knowl-edge and perspective through travel and interaction with other localities.”

He said the team gained a “relevant, valuable knowledge which would have oth-erwise been unavail-ing if we were just to sit around at our re-spective offices.”

Upon arrival, the group paid Zamboan-ga Governor Rolando Yebes a courtesy call at the provincial capi-tol after a warm wel-come from Vice Gov-ernor Francis Olvis.

Mayor Yap account-ed that aside from Di-polog, the group also “motored all the way to Sinunok, Sinacu-ban, Misamis Occiden-


Construction of P15-M ARMM housing project setCOTABATO CITY -- After several years of delay, construction of the hous-ing project for employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is finally set to start.

by Perlita Changco

A ground breaking ceremony led by ARMM executive secretary Naguib Sinarimbo was held Friday, Dec 16 to signal the start of the housing project in 2.35 hectare land purchased by the regional govern-ment in the amount of P11 million at Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguin-danao.

Sinarimbo said, P15 million has been alloca-tion by the ARMM re-gional government for the initial 10 housing units and installation of light and water lines,

drainage system, fence and other preparations

Qualified to avail of the affordable hous-ing program are regular employees since month-ly amortization would be done through salary de-duction.

ARMM regular employ-ees who are interested to avail of the program may accomplish and submit their application form and other require-ments , he said adding that a total of 95 hous-ing units would be con-structed under Phase I.

Meanwhile, in reaction to the appointment of Mujiv Hataman as OIC-Governor of the ARMM caretaker government, Sinarimbo said, the tran-sition committee is pre-pared and ready for the turn-over of leadership to the incoming OIC-governor.

“So far, we have not received official com-munication except for some text messages about this, but we are ready for the turnover anytime,” Sinarimbo said.

tal upon the invitation of Sinacuban Mayor Dello Lood” where they enjoyed the lush Sinunok Aquamarine Park, which features a dolphin cage and exotic mangrove cot-tages.

The park is touted to be frequented by local and foreign tour-

ists. Yap said the visit to

the eight-kilometer seaside promenade Dipolog Baywalk, which was already half-way done, was the main reason of the exposure trip.

It was also learned that Mayor Yap has already instructed the

Office of the Munici-pal Engineer to pre-pare a project design “using the Sinacuban Aquamarine Park as prototype for its pos-sible replication in Glan, particularly at the century-old man-grove sanctuary in Barangay Kapatan.”


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

[email protected][email protected]

Iligan City flashflood caused partly by illegal logging, says PNoyby Robert E. Roperos

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday said illegal logging activities partly caused the recent flashflood in Iligan City, which left at least 283 people dead and 406 missing according to a report

from the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).


In his speech during the ceremo-nial distribution of relief goods at the Iligan City Nation-al High School (IC-NHS) auditorium, Pres. Aquino said il-

legal activities must be stopped so that the disaster will not happen again. He also directed the officials in Mind-anao to take action against illegal log-

ging activities in Ili-gan and nearby ar-eas. The President and his party arrived at ICNHS grounds at around 11 a.m. to distribute relief goods to flood vic-tims. He was also briefed by National Disaster Risk Re-duction and Man-agement Council (NDRRMC) Execu-tive Director Under-secretary Benito Ra-mos. After the en-gagement, the Pres-idential party went back to Cagayan de Oro and visited the flashflood victims housed in the evac-uation center at Ca-gayan de Oro City Central School. The group then headed to Dumaguete City to assess the dam-ages and extend fi-nancial assistance to


Police Provincial Office to PRO-10, Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City around 5:00 O ‘clock

in the afternoon of De-cember 18, 2011 to aug-ment the said PRO for the Search, Rescue and

Retrieval Operations in the area stricken by Ty-phoon Sendong. It can be recalled

PNP-Caraga deploys search, rescue & retrieval contingent to PRO-10by PSUPT Martin M Gamba

BUTUAN CITY – Police Regional Office 13 Regional Director Police Chief Supt Reynaldo S Rafal, CEO VI, PhD, recently sent one hundred fifty (150) personnel composed of four (4) Platoons of 13th RPSB, a team from Regional Health Service 13 and Regional Crime Laboratory Office 13 headed by PSSUPT Eugenio Paguirigan, Provincial Director of Agusan de Norte.

the victims of Tropi-cal Storm “Send-ong.” In a related de-velopment, the Ili-gan City informa-tion office revealed that some 330 re-lief packs compris-ing blankets, mats, 3 kilos rice, noodles, coffees, sardines, and corned beefs from the Office of the President were distributed at the

school’s auditorium. M e a n w h i l e , data from the CSWD showed that as of December 19, 2011, 28 barangays were affected by the disas-ter. Families affect-ed already reached 11,396 while hous-es totally damaged were 2,780 and 2,745 houses were partially damaged. Also, the esti-mated cost of damage

is P195,833,856. Rain started to pour in at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Heavy rains coupled with strong winds oc-curred at 10:00 p.m. of the same day, and on or about 1:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, Mandulog River overflowed which caused mas-sive flashfloods.


that on the evening of December 16, 2011, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City were simultaneously hit by flashfloods claiming numerous lives and damaged infrastruc-

tures.The residents were caught unaware and in dire need of pota-ble water supply and other non food items. Police Chief Supt RAFAL said that the

PNP personnel from this region will help in the rescue operation. Dir. Rafal also extended an initial amount P50,000 cash donation. (PNP-13)

11 Caraga studes qualify for 2012 Phil. Science High School scholarshipby Nora CL Molde

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga Regional Office here announced that 11 students from the region passed the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS) scholarship.


According to Nor-ma Alli, senior science research specialist of DOST Caraga, of the 571 graduating el-ementary pupils from the region who took the PSHS scholarship qualifying test, only 11 passed. Of the 11 suc-cessful qualifiers, eight came from the Butuan City Special Education to include: Arlyn Jave Bongo Adlawon, Lora Noreen Saubon Do-mingo, Pauline Shean Lim Garcia, Jon Edilp-ert Jamero Arano, Pia Juneea Cerna Nebra-da, Pamela Ann Unabia Ngo, Junifer Rosales Sombilon Jr., and Faith Daplin Villahermosa; one from Butuan Cen-tral Elementary School – John Alfred Limas Lugo; one from Bayu-gan Central Elemen-tary School, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur – Eljay Salon Rugas; and one from Father Saturnino Urios University, Bu-

tuan City – Maria Angeli R. Baygan. T h e q u a l i f i e r s are entitled to scholar-ship privi-leges such as free tuition fee, free loan of text books, monthly sti-pend, uniform, transportation and liv-ing allowances for low income groups. Meanwhile, DOST Secretary and Chair of the PSHSS Board of Trustees Mario G. Mon-tejo announced that 1,096 out of 19,925 examinees successfully hurdled the nationwide one-step screening on PSHSS Search for Scholars for the year 2012 administered on September 10, 2011. The qualifiers have to immediately contact the Registrar or the Campus Director of the PSHSS Campus where

they are qualified to enroll in, or visit the following websi tes:www.pshs.edu.ph or www.dost.gov.ph, for more infor-mation on early enrol-ment. Last day for pre-enrolment of principal qualifiers is on Febru-ary 10, 2012. Specific schedule of other en-rolment activities shall be announced by the respective campuses. The PSHS System is an attached agency of the DOST. The high-est policy making body of the PSHS System is the Board of Trustees with the DOST Secre-tary as Chairman.

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One Mindanao - December 21, 2011

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