one mindanao - january 9, 2012

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

Cover Story

Peace, unity and

understanding through cultural

wedding

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. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Ruby Leonora R. BalistoyNorthertern Mindanao

page 4

Today’s issue...Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 148

Northern Mindanao United States provides an additional $1.9 Million for flood affected families

Apipa Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao 65th IB confiscates logging machine in Lanao del Sur

David M.Suyao , Caraga Region

‘Bantay Konsumo’ project stabilizes commodities’ prices, caution price increase

Movement to “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong” snowballs

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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28

1819

24

30

31

Aquino says Mindanao cancer center in Davao provides hopefor poor cancer patients in the region 10

Yebes assures the Provincial Government’s preparedness for any calamityAlfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

15

39

Mera Grace E. Apuya, Southern Mindanao Mindanao cancer center inaugurated 22

Jeanevive Abangan, Southern Mindanao Recovered landslide deaths rise to 32 with 38 still missing23

Central Mindanao

Ika-24 na round ng peace negotiation sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at MILF magsisimula ngayon

27

Noel B. Najarro, Caraga Region

ZamboSur’s 2011 corn production bountiful: OPA37 Western Mindanao

Telecommunications companies temporarily disconnect services in some areas in metropolis in response to President Aquino’s appeal - Malacañang 13

Ac Agad, Central Mindanao Cotabato gov ipinag-utos ang paghuli sa mga illegal loggers at miners 26

20

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4 Monday, January 9, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Peace, unity and understanding through cultural wedding

Cover Story

The Mindanao’s food basket, Bukidnon, is home to a wide diversity of religions and cultures. Therefore, one can find a great variation in wedding traditions.

by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

5 Monday, January 9, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

In the luxuriant homeland of the province’s seven hill tribes, tribal wed-ding is given the utmost significance be-cause it fosters unity and peace. It is seen as a way to mend tribal gaps between clans having disagree-ments, especially, when a man is so smitten with the woman in another community or clan. To mark the importance of this rich heritage, the Bukidnon provincial gov-ernment annually celebrates the month-long “Kaamulan” cultural festival from February 18 to March 10, where local and foreign tourists flock to witness the popular street dancing and tribal wed-ding. Kaamulan” is from the Binukid word “amul” which means “to gather”. It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribes peo-ple for a purpose. It can mean a “Da-tuship,” a ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together.

Russel Aquino, Chief, Bukidnon In-digenous Cultural Affairs Office said the beginning of the occasion has always a solemn prayer giving thanks to the ‘Mag-babaya’ (deity) for the year’s bounty harvest and blessings, thus, tribal mass wedding is usually afforded.

The prelude to nuptial rites The courtship counts in the en-tire woman’s family. Tribal families then come together with the “Datu” (chief-tain) as the emissary and make the best of whatever is presented to him, while everybody listens. Marked by a highly developed sense of democracy and love for peace, they settle disputes through unwritten treaties. If they agree, wedding proce-dures begin. The following are short description of the traditional tribal nuptials during the Kaamulan solemnized by the chief-tain, accredited by the Local Civil Regis-trar (LCR). • The “Kagen” and “Taltag:” A


pre-wedding ceremony where the man begs for the parents’ approval. Dowry is offered and agreed upon by both fami-lies. • The “Pamalas:” Solemnized by the “Datu”, the “Kagsalu- hu Salungana” (union of physical and spiritual aspect), this starts with this ritual to ward off evil spirits and cleanse the couple of their sins. • Chastity and sexual modesty were also very highly valued. Applied primarily to women, these values were not only tied to family honor but were held to be a religious obligation as well.

The wedding dress and costume The bright colors of the costumes are in sharp distinction to the green of the surroundings. The women wear themselves with heavy jewelry and dec-orated headdress. A pair of dangling pieces of jewelry is also worn behind the ears. Bangles are also compulsory, for no self-respecting women will be seen without them. Dressed with an intricately embroi-dered outfit called “Pinaksoy” and “Sinu-laman,” the bride faces the groom-- in “Tangkulu “(beaded turban)--the tra-ditional festivity costume of the hill tribes.


The ceremony All against the background of traditional tribal music, the couple exchange vows and eat a hand-mold of rice with boiled pork and chicken to symbolize life‘s sweetness and fruitfulness. Merry making includes re-freshments of spring water, eat-ing of boiled pork and chicken. The “Datu” and “Bai” (women leader) lead the dances, songs and music. Bright festive colors surround the ‘Tulugan’ (Tribal Hall) which functions much like a barangay hall, except that it may house a whole clan. Kaamulan Festival is the ideal occasion to showcase the unique indigenous culture of Bukidnon’s seven tribes namely, the Higa-onon, Talaandig, Manobo, Mat-igsalug, Tigwahanon, Bukidnon, and Umayamnon. Tribal wedding is just one of the much-awaited cultural ac-tivities lined-up for the upcoming festivities. Governor Alex Calingasan proudly said that this year’s Kaa-mulan festival would be grander in terms of events and activities, which everyone must look for-ward to, as the province’s big-gest tourism event.


Aquino welcomes international logistics group’s plan to invest $500-million

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the plan of an international logistics group Kuwait and Gulf Link, to invest an additional $500-million in the Philippines.

KGL Group of Compa-nies Chairman and Manag-ing Director Saeed Dashti, together with KGL Group Vice Chairman Marsha La-zareva and Investment Di-rector Mark Williams, called on the President in Malaca-ñang on Monday to person-

ally convey the company’s investment plan. The KGL Group has already invested $200-mil-lion for the construction of the Gateway Logistics Cen-ter, a 177-hectare develop-ment project which hosts business enterprises and

operations of aviation and logistics related businesses located in the Clark Export Processing Zone in Pam-panga. Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said the ad-ditional $500-million would be used for infrastructure

10 Monday, January 9, 2012

logistics, like the Public-Pri-vate Partnership (PPP) pro-grams and other investment potentials. Panlilio said that the President wanted the in-vestment plan to move ex-peditiously but directed that

“everything will have to be bidded out transparently.” “He (President Aquino) welcomes this (KGL Group in-vestment). This is definitely what we need here but of course everything will have to be bidded out transparently,”

Panlilio said. “We cannot give out ex-tra or special favors but what we can offer you is a transpar-ent bidding that will be done and will go straight to the de-partments and not to political patrons,” he added. (RCK)

Aquino says Mindanao cancer center in Davao provides hope for poor cancer patients in the region

The Aquino administration has once again proven its commitment to providing premium and quality health care to the Filipinos through the launching of Mindanao’s only cancer treatment center, here, in support of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s efforts to advance the government’s

medical services throughout the country.


In his message deliv-ered by Health Secretary Enrique Ona during the formal inauguration of the Nuclear and Radiotherapy Center at the Mindanao Cancer Center, Davao Re-gional Hospital on Sunday in Apokon here, President Aquino said that the new medical facility serves as a sign of brighter hope for cancer patients, especial-ly the underprivileged, to better medical care. The President said that based on data gath-

ered by the Department of Health (DOH), cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases that has claimed the lives of many Filipi-nos. “Ang pagbubukas ng Mindanao Cancer Center ay siya ring pagtanglaw ng pag-asa sa mga Pilipi-nong biktima ng kanser. Ayon sa tala ng DOH, ang sakit na ito ang isa sa mga nangungunang dahilan ng pagkamatay sa ating bansa,” President Aquino said.

The DOH research also indicated that there are some 200,000 Filipi-nos who suffer from can-cer every year, which will be addressed by the ad-vanced equipments in the facility. “Ang istatistikang ito ang nais solusyunan ng pasilidad na pinapa-sinayaan natin ngayon. Magpapalawak ito sa ser-bisyong medikal, hindi lamang mula sa Davao, kundi maging sa buong Mindanao,” the President


said. “Inaasahang tat-lumpung pasyente kada araw ang makakatang-gap ng sapat, mura at de-kalidad na tulong-medikal mula sa pagamutang ito. Sa pamamagitan din ng mga bagong serbisyo at kagamitan dito gaya ng Radiation therapy at ng Digital Linear Accelera-tor, mapipigilan natin ang paglala, kundi man natin tuluyang malunasan ang iba-ibang uri ng cancer,” he added. The Chief Executive noted that through perse-verance, unity and coop-eration between the gov-ernment and the citizenry, there will be no challenges that are hard to resolve. “Tanda po itong kapag desidido tayong makapagdulot ng ginhawa at pagbabago, anumang uri ng kanser—kanser man sa katawan, o kanser man sa lipunan gaya ng kurapsyon, katiwalian at kahirapan—ay talaga na-mang kayang-kaya nating gamutin at solusyunan,” President Aquino said add-ing that the government is now more aggressive in pushing for medical pro-grams beneficial for the Filipino people.

“Puspusan po nat-ing tinutugunan ngayon ang mga suliranin sa sek-tor ng kalusugan. Todo-arangkada po ang DOH sa pagsusulong ng mga inisyatiba upang mas ma-pakinabangan ng mas maraming Pilipino ang ating serbisyong medical,” the President said. The President said that the government has allotted at least P40 bil-lion this year to fund the advancement of medical practitioners’ capabilities, infrastructure and equip-ment development of the health sector. The health programs of the Aquino government also includes the increase in funding of the health insurance of the people through PhilHealth from P3.5 billion last year to P12 billion in 2012. This fund increase will help provide medi-cal assistance for the 5.2 million poor Filipinos who were identified through the National Household Targeting System. For the DOH’s “Doc-tors to the Barrio” pro-gram, the President said that an additional one bil-lion pesos will be allocated to shoulder the services

of additional 200 doctors, one thousand midwives and 12 thousand nurses to the regional health units, barangay health stations and remote hospitals na-tionwide. The major services and facilities of the Nu-clear and Radiotherapy Center amounting to at least 157 million pesos include Radiation therapy using high energy X-rays which is used to kill can-cer cells or to stop them from growing and spread-ing; Digital Linear Accel-erator, a device for exter-nal radiotherapy that is designed to destroy the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. The Mindanao Can-cer Center also offers other types of radiotherapy that include External Beam Ra-diotherapy (XTR), Inten-sity Modulated Radiother-apy (MTR) capable, 3-D Conformal Radiotherapy (9CRT) capable and ARC Therapy capable. The realization of the cancer treatment facility and equipment was made possible through the funds allocated by the Aquino government, particularly the Department of Health


with support from the lo-cal government officials in Davao region. The Center will provide adequate, acces-sible and affordable can-cer care to all patients in Mindanao regardless of capacity to pay, from early diagnosis to pal-liative care. The Center aims to contribute in in-

creasing the awareness of the locals concerning the dreaded disease. The Mindanao Can-cer Center is also de-signed to provide the best clinical and ancil-lary services to cancer patients in Mindanao; teach and train medical, nursing and paramedi-cal personnel on cancer

care; provide state-of-the art cancer informa-tion service; create a da-tabase for research on cancer; and to network with various government and non-government or-ganizations for the deliv-ery of radiologic, nuclear and pharmaceutical care of patients. (JCL)

Telecommunications companies temporarily disconnect services in some areas in metropolis in response to President Aquino’s appeal - Malacañang

Telecommunication companies temporarily disconnected their services in some areas of the city of Manila, particularly along the route of the Black Nazarene procession, heeding the government’s request to fully cooperate with law enforcement

agencies and take precautionary measures to enhance public safety during the observance of the feast, a Palace official said on Monday.


During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday, Deputy Presi-dential Spokesperson Abi-gail Valte confirmed reports that telecommunication firms today jammed their mobile signals in response to the appeal of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the telecommunication compa-nies and the public to coop-erate with the government to ensure peace and order during the feast of the Black Nazarene. “All of them respond-ed. The disruption in mo-bile services will be along the routes to be taken by the procession and it will last for the entire duration,” Valte said, adding that “as holders of a franchise, the public safety is paramount.” Last Sunday, the Chief Executive announced that intelligence reports have

apprised them of the inten-tions of lawless elements to create disruptions in the National Capital Region par-ticularly during the Feast of the Black Nazarene. He had ordered law enforcement agencies and the military, to step up its efforts to main-tain peace and order during the celebration. “On the interrup-tion of the mobile services, of course we feel that it is warranted as an additional security measure and is nec-essary for us to ensure that nothing untoward will hap-pen during the period of the procession, and the celebra-tion,” Valte said. “Second, there are still landlines that are available for them to be able to re-port. It’s not the entire area, we wish to stress. There are areas that are not part of the

interruption, or the disrup-tion, in the mobile service,” she said. Lawless elements had used cellular phones to trig-ger explosives from remote locations in several countries in the past. Valte also assured that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforce-ment agencies will continue implementing enhanced se-curity measures not only in Manila but the entire NCR as well. She stressed that the President’s warning to the public about the intelligence reports had nothing to do with the United States (US) travel advisory. “First, on the US travel advisory, as mentioned by the President (on Sunday) there is no connection to the release… of the advisory and the corresponding warnings that were made. While we routinely receive intelligence reports of this nature, as also mentioned by the Na-tional Security Adviser, there is a process by which we ar-rive at the assessment. And it was, because of recent developments, that it was conveyed to the President yesterday,” she said. (JS)


‘Sendong’ leaves P969.35-M worth of damage to infrastructure in NorMinby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

At least 30 infrastructure projects worth Php969.35M were damaged by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao.

Reports reaching the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in the region from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reveal that 16 of the projects were on road

sections, nine (9) were on bridges, and five (5) were on drainage and flood control. The report also show that the highest amount of damage was in the 2nd Engineering District of Cagayan


de Oro (CDO), particularly, the 1,800 linear meter revetment of the CDO River worth Php540M which was totally washed-out. This was followed by the First Engineering District of CDO with Php235M, broken down as follows: Flood control works involving 600 lineal meters, along the CDO River Basin in Barangays Carmen, Kauswagan, and Bonbon worth Php180M. C D O - A i r p o r t -Bukidnon Road, Dansolihon and Dansolihon-Uguiaban Sections and Lumbia-Uguiaban By-pass Road, Mangalay Section, where landslides covered the roadway, Php20M and Php5.0M, respectively. Uguiaban By-pass Road, 30-meter road slip, and Kauswagan-Bulua Section, Butuan-Cagayan-Iligan Road

(BCIR), with siltation of existing open main drainage both sides, Php10M.Next was the 2nd Engineering District of Lanao del Norte with Php160M to include two (2) roads and bridges, each: Mandulog Bridge 1, Highway Secondary Diversion, Iligan City, with a span of 86.5 meters in length, 5 slabs and 2 piers which totally collapsed, Php100M.

Mandulog Bridge 2, Barangay San Roque - Hinaplanon Section, Iligan City, whose right side railing was destroyed, its uppermost girder upstream 4th span cracked and its approaches and revetment washed out, Php35M. Misamis Oriental-Maria Cristina Boundary Road with damaged carriageway, Php15M and Sta.


F e l o m i n a - B o n b o n o n -Digkilaan-Rogongon Road with land slide and plant debris scattered along carriageway and road slip, Php10M.The 3rd Engineering District of Bukidnon also incurred an infrastructure damage worth Php30.8M in the following areas: Agusan Canyon Bridge, along junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag Road, washed-out/scour bank protection and Uguiaban Bridge, along CDO–Dominorog Camp Kibaritan Road, Talakag, Bukidnon, damaged slope protection at Abutment “A” and “B”, Php10M, each. Cross drainage along junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag Road, Libona, Bukidnon, washed-out drainage structure, and Sayre Highway Alae-Kisolon Road, Maluko Slip Section, with depression road slip at Damay Section, Php5.0M, each. Tal-uban Bridge, along CDO-Dominorog-Camp Kibaritan Road, Washed-out/Scour Bank Protection at Abut. “B” Php0.50M and Junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag Road, 11 sections, soil collapse & rock slope failure blocked the carriageway, Php0.30M. Damages to infrastructure in the First Engineering District of Bukidnon also reached Php3.55 million to include the following: Washed-out cross drainage due to strong current of waters, 350 cu.m. at junctions Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road, Mapulo Section, Mapulo,

Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Pocket soil collapse at Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road, Silae-Mapulo Section, Mapulo, MalaybalayCity, Bukidnon, 100 cu.m., and Pusod Bridge, San Jose, San Fernando, Bukidnon, Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia Road, 300 cu.m. Lumbayao Bridge, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Lumbayao Section, Lumbayao, Valencia, Bukidnon, 50 cu.m., Makalungay Section, Makalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon, 200 cu.m., and Sitio Paso Section, Mabuhay, San Fernando, 150 cu.m.,Erosion of footing of slope protection and grouted riprap in Salug Bridge and Mampilo Bridge in Barangays Kalagangan and Kayaga, both of San Fernando, Bukidnon, respectively.Scouring embankment at Abutment “A” which was washed out in Pusod Bridge, San Jose, San Fernando, Bukidnon, and Batangan in Valencia City, also of Bukidnon, which is still under construction.

http://www.bukidnononline.com


United States provides an additional $1.9 Million for flood affected families

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional $1.9 million (PhP83.9 million) as part of its humanitarian assistance to those affected by the recent floods caused by Tropical Storm Sendong.

This additional amount increases the U.S. Government assistance for immediate emergency relief to $2.8 million (PhP123.6 million). Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. said, “USAID’s assistance will be used to support continuing relief operations as well as early recovery and rehabilitation efforts to help disaster victims get back on their feet and reclaim their lives.” This contribution will be used for emergency procurement of classroom furniture and equipment, reference materials, education supplies, and student kits. It will also fund the repair of damaged schools and small-scale infrastructure projects to help restart economic activity in the affected barangays. The distribution of clean water and hygiene kits will also be

supported through funding provided by Catholic Relief Services and Plan International. Along with the financial contribution of $2.8 million, USAID is collaborating with the Department of Health (DOH) in providing health awareness materials to ensure the well-being of flood victims housed in evacuation centers. USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele said, “We will continue our coordination with concerned Philippine Government agencies to identify areas where the U.S. Government can provide further assistance.” For 50 years the United States has been a key partner of the Philippines in providing immediate humanitarian response during times of natural calamities. (US Embassy)

Photo credits: http://manila.usembassy.gov


65th IB confiscates logging machine in Lanao del SurMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Elements of the 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion of the Philippine Army have confiscated an improvised log cutter at Barangay Lidasan in Kapai town, this province.

Col. Daniel Lucero, 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander, said the improvised log cutter of an Isuzu B162 Engine with blade was confiscated by the Stalwart troopers last week while they were patrolling the barangay in support to the government’s anti-illegal logging campaign. He said the log cutter was owned by a certain Amer Dimacuta, 32 yrs old, married and a resident of Brgy Lidasan. It is now in the custody of the 65th IB for proper disposition and safekeeping purposes, In a related development, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government is now finalizing the filing of illegal logging charges against several individuals in relation to the recent seizure of truckloads of logs in the province. During his meeting with Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz last week, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman disclosed that

the task force headed by Col. Lucero has seized 25 truckloads of logs in an operation in Kapai town.Formed to curb illegal logging in the province, he said the task force recommended the filing of appropriate charges against barangay officials believed to be involved in the logging operation in the area. The illegal logging in the province was blamed for exacerbating the effects of Tropical Storm Sendong resulting in a heavy death toll in Iligan city.

Aside from his total log ban directives, the ARMM Governor has also issued a moratorium on the issuance of private land timber permits so as not to provide loggers any excuse. Meanwhile, Hataman also disclosed that the ARMM government will be forging a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the greening program and the provision of alternative livelihood to carabao loggers in the autonomous region.

by Apipa Bagumbaran


3 Davao towns, Samal City benefit from incentive fund by Carina Cayon

Three municipalities and a city in Davao Region benefited

last year from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) subsidy, an incentive fund given to local government units for passing the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH). The PCF recipients were 4th class municipalities of Braulio E. Dujali, San Isidro, and the Island Garden City of Samal, all of Davao del Norte; and Sarangani town of Davao del Sur. In an annual report 2011 of the

Department of Interior and Local Gov-ernment (DILG) in the region, each of the three town-beneficiaries received P1 million, while IGACOS obtained P3 million. Braulio E. Dujali utilized its PCF in developing its public market. Dujali was the only town in the region to be bestowed of the SGH in 2010, and got a P1 million PCF. San Isidro undertook several projects such as the construction of three solar dryers, rehabilitation of farm-to-market road, installation of pre-painted roofing of multi-purpose building and construction of multi-purpose building. Sarangani, also a 4th class mu-nicipality, used its incentive for road maintenance. IGACOS’ funding was spent for the construction of access road and drainage outfall. DILG-XI’s annual report also noted that 3rd class municipalities of Don Marcelino, Davao del Sur and Tarragona of Davao Oriental qualified for the PCF subsidy in 2011, however, documents were still on process.


According to DILG, the said LGU recipients that were granted the PCF last year complied with the eligibility criteria set in passing the SGH. The SGH conditions anchor on the LGU’s sound fiscal management citing the absence of adverse Com-mission on Audit (COA) opinion on the LGU’s financial statements. The other major criterion is based on transparent and accountable gov-ernance that puts value on full disclo-sure. As an incentive fund, the PCF is given to the LGU as a counterpart funding for local development projects which are incorporated in the Annual Investment Program (AIP) and should consistent with the national goals and priorities. The development project should also have funding from the 20 per-

cent Local Development Fund (LDF). DILG-XI reported that the re-maining 49 LGUs covering four prov-inces, five cities and 40 municipalities of Davao Region, all belonging to the 1st to 3rd class, also passed the SGH in 2011. However, it said that some of the LGUs did not qualify for the PCF sub-sidy according to the SGH assessment for the 2nd round.Awarding the SGH and providing in-centive to deservi ng LGUs is a commitment of DILG to “aggressively scale up interventions in elevating the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, partici-pation and performance into an insti-tutionalized status.” The priority LGUs for this under-taking are those with low income and with high poverty incidence.

regional galleryDepartment of Health (DOH) Sec-retary Enrique Ona and Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario lead the unveiling of the marker during the inauguration cer-emony today, Jan. 8, at the Davao Regional Hospital, Tagum City.


Mindanao cancer center inauguratedby Mera Grace E. Apuya

Tagum, Davao del Norte —It embodies the public’s aspiration of a people-centered cancer treatment hub. These were the words inscribed on the marker of the first cancer center in Mindanao named as “Nuclear and Radio-therapy Center,” which nestles in the prov-ince of Davao del Norte. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona and Gov. Ro-dolfo del Rosario led the unveiling of the marker during the inauguration ceremony today, Jan. 8, at the Davao Regional Hospital, Tagum City. “We are thankful to President Benigno Aquino III for the enormous assistance extended to the Davao Re-gional Hospital in making this dream come true,” said Gov. del Rosario in his welcome remarks. “This project truly brings hope to our cancer pa-tients, survivors and their families in the Island of Mindanao,” he added. The center, which offers radia-tion therapy and digital linear accel-erator, can accommodate 30 patients a day and is expected to provide enough, affordable and quality med-ical assistance, as what President Aquino put it in his message deliv-ered by Sec. Ona. Based on DOH statistics, 200,000 Filipinos yearly suffer from cancer. According to Sec. Ona, the

said statistics is what the center de-sires to resolve. The message also bared the plans of the present administration in addressing the concerns of the health sector. For the year 2012, P12-billion has been allocated to the PhilHealth insurance premium to benefit 5.2-million families selected through the National Household Targeting Sys-tem as compared to last year’s P3.5-billion budget. Based on the recent report of the Philippine Information Agency, Philhealth members are “most bene-fited in the center since the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) has included cancer treatment as a package in the health insurance.” “Gaya ng ating ipinangako, ti-nitiyak nating ang bawat Pilipino lalo na ang mga mas nangangailangan ay makikinabang sa serbisyo at be-nepisyo ng PhilHealth (As promised, we make sure that every Filipino es-pecially those who are in most need will avail of the services and benefits of Philhealth),” said Sec. Ona. “In gratitude, we the local lead-ers of this province hereby reiterate our commitment to fully support the Aquino Health Agenda and the rest of the Philippine Development Plan,” said Gov. del Rosario.


Recovered landslide deaths rise to 32 with 38 still missingDAVAO CITY--- Counts on casualties of the landslide incident in a small-scale mining site Diat 1, in Brgy. Napnapan, Pantukan, Compostela Valley rose to 32 as of this morning as registered by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI. In a report to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), OCD said 26 of the casualties were identified while four are still unidentified. The landslide that happened on Jan. 05 due to continuous rains in the past several days prior to the in-cident, also injured 16 and sent 38 others missing. Of the recovered casualties, 22 were brought to Saint Therese Fu-neral Homes in Mabini, Compostela Valley; four were brought to Angel Funeral Homes in Pantukan, Comval; one (Velasquez) was brought to her house in San Isidro, Davao Oriental; and one (Sincero) was brought to St. Peter’s, Tagum City branch. OCD-XI explained that the num-ber of missing persons had increased due to reports of relatives and friends relayed to the Incident Command Post. The agency also revealed that previously reported missing persons, namely, Santos Abainza III, “Kam-bal”, Santos Saraum, Jr and Santos Saraum, Sr were already found alive. NDRRMC’s Usec Ramos

together with OCD-11 Director Liza R. Mazo already distributed finan-cial assistance to the families of the dead casualties at Saint Theresa Fu-neral Homes, Mabini, ComVal and in-jured victims at Davao Regional Hos-pital in Tagum City. Among the rescue teams which assisted in the search, rescue and retrieval operations were the Tac-tical Operations Group 11 of the Phil-ippine Air Force, 10th Infantry Divisin of the Philippine Army, 5053rd Search and Rescue Squadron, 71st Infan-try Batallion, Pantukan Police Office, small-scale miners groups, APEX Mining Co., Philippine Red Cross Com-Val and Davao City Chapters, Tagum City Rescue Team and PDRRMC Davao Oriental Rescue Team .

by Jeanevive Abangan


PRO12 declares “all-out war” against illegal drugsby Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -– The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 recently declared an “all-out war” against “big-time drug syndicates, ordinary drug pushers and peddlers in the region.”

The Regional Pub-lic Information Office (RPIO), in a report sent to PIA-Gensan, re-vealed that PRO 12 Di-rector PCSupt. Benjar-di Mantele enjoined all City and Provincial Po-lice Offices in the region to wage war against prohibited drugs by conducting a “target hardening operation” in their respective ar-eas of responsibilities to prevent violence brought by illegal drug use.

Mantele noted that heinous crimes are committed by those who are under the in-

fluence of drugs, as he ordered an intensified police operations espe-cially in public areas


PRO12 declares “all-out war” against illegal drugs

like shopping malls, transport terminals, schools, and commer-cial centers.

Earlier, Public Infor-mation Officer, PSupt. Resty Damaso dis-closed the three suc-cessful operations against illegal drugs conducted by Sultan Kudarat Provincial Po-lice Office in Tacurong City, and Magpet and President Roxas Mu-nicipal Police Stations in Cotabato Province.

With the help of the Philippine Drug

enforcement Agen-cy (PDEA) 12, he ex-plained that police op-eratives seized shabu and marijuana from the three separate op-erations.

The apprehended suspects are now fac-ing charges for vio-lating RA 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dan-gerous Drugs Act,” he said.

Meanwhile, the City Public Safety Compa-ny (CPSC) and Spe-cial Action Force (SAF) in Cotabato City also

nabbed one personal-ity who has in custody shabu and other shabu paraphernalia.

With these devel-opments, Mantele ex-pressed gratitude to concerned agencies for the show of support in the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs.

He also lauded the dedication of police op-eratives for the great effort, as he vowed to track down illegal drug factories through anti- illegal drug oper-ations.”


Cotabato gov ipinag-utos ang paghuli sa mga illegal loggers at minersKORONADAL CITY – Sa gitna ng mga trahedyang tumama sa Mindanao sim-ula noong isang taon dahil sa pagkasira ng kalikasan, ipinag-utos ni Cotaba-to governor Lala Talino-Mendoza sa mga pulis, sundalo at iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang pag-aresto sa lahat ng mga illegal na loggers at mga grupo at indibiduwal na illegal na nagmimina sa lalawigan.

Ani Mendoza, ang pagtotroso, pagmimina at ang aerial spraying ay ipinagbabawal sa Cotabato base sa kasa-lukuyang Environment Code ng lalawigan na kanya ring ini-akda noong siya ay miyem-bro pa ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Binigyang diin ni Mendoza na ang envi-ronment code ay ang Bibliya ng kanyang ad-ministrasyon lalo na sa pagpapatupad ng mga programang nauugnay sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan.

Ang nasabing code, ayon kay Mendoza ay hindi isang ordinaryong batas o pansamanta-lang batas lamang.

Patuloy umanong ipatutupad ng Pama-halaang Panlalawigan, katuwang ang Philip-

pine National Police (PNP), Department of Environment and Natu-ral Resources (DENR) at ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas ang polisi-ya laban sa pagmim-ina at illegal na pagto-troso sa pamamagitan ng panghuhuli ng pag-confiscate ng mga tor-so, pag-impound ng mga sasakyang ginag-

amit sa mga illegal na aktibidad at paghahain ng kaso laban sa mga mahuhuling nagkasala.

Kasalukuyan din um-anong beneberipika ng tanggapan ng goberna-dora ang mga ulat ng small-scale mining op-erations sa mga bayan ng Arakan, Libungan, Tulunan at Magpet. (Ac Agad PIA12)


Ika-24 na round ng peace negotiation sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at MILF magsisimula ngayonKORONADAL CITY – Sa pagsisimula ng ika-24th Round ng Peace Negotia-tions ngayong araw sa pagitan ng Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at ng Moro Is-lamic Liberation Front (MILF) umaasa si Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process secretary Teresita Deles na matatapos na rin ang daang-taong kaguluhan sa Mindanao.

Sa isang statement, sinabi ni Deles na patuloy siyang umaasa na kaagad makapagbuo na ang mga miyembro ng dalawang panel ng kanilang frame-work ng political settle-ment.

Ayon pa kay Deles, kailangan kaagad itong matugunan upang tuluy-an ng makamit ng taga-Mindanao ang kapaya-paang kanilang minimithi at mawakasan ang ilang siglo ng karahasan sa re-hiyon.

Umaasa rin si Deles na ngayong taong 2012 ay magiging taon para sa kapayapaan sa kabila ng mga hamon na haharap-in ng dalawang panel sa negotiating table, at kai-langan umanong mag-ing handa ang mga ito sa pagtugon sa anumang

hamon na maaaring ha-hadlang sa pagsulong ng kapayapaan para sa Min-danao.

Magtatapos sa araw ng Miyerkules ang 24th round ng negosasyon na sinimu-lan ngayong araw sa Kua-la Lumpur Malaysia.

Matatandaang nauna ng ipinahayag ng Pangu-long Benigno Aquino III na mataas ang kanyang

hangad na magkaroon na nga ng kasunduan ang dalawang panig at agad na maresolba ang prob-lema sa Mindanao.

Mula noong taong 1997 hanggang 2010, mahigit 14 na kasunduan na ang nilagdaan ng dalawang panig subalit bigo ang mga ito na makapagbuo ng isang pinal na kasund-uan. (Ac Agad)


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Brgy. Libertad officials all set for Kahimunan Festival 2012 by Robert E. Roperos

Officials of Barangay Libertad in Butuan City are already prepared for this year’s staging of the 2012 Kahimunan Festival on Sunday, January 15.


According to Lib-ertad Punong Barangay Vincent Rizal Rosario in an interview over Bombo Radyo here, this year’s festival will only be fea-turing contingents from

their barangays. Rosario added be-cause of the limited fi-nancial resources, as well as time constraints, the organizers and the barangay officials de-cided to feature the lo-

cal contingents coming from their barangay. However, the offi-cial said each contingent is allowed to hire musi-cians from the neighbor-ing cities and provinces to ensure musical qual-ity. “Bisan og wala kadtong mga taga-laing lugar nga muapil, apan nindot guihapon and atong festival tungod kay gitugutan man ang matag contingent nga mu-hire og mga musi-cians sa nga silingang lugar dinhi sa dakbayan,” Rosario said. (Despite of the ab-sence of those contin-gents from other places, but still the festival will be colorful because the organizers can hire mu-sicians from other cities and provinces.) On Saturday (Jan. 7), the Mindanao Open Chess Tournament was opened and the Talent Portion of Mutya Hong Libertad was also con-ducted at the barangay’s covered court.


‘Bantay Konsumo’ project stabilizes commodities’ prices, caution price increaseby David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR – Prices of basic commodities like meat, fish vegetables and canned goods are now almost similar in the market and in any store all over the town of San Francisco after the ‘Bantay Konsumo’ released a list of basic commodities with their suggested retail prices.

According to Cirila Inson, Trade and Indus-try Development Spe-cialist of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur provincial office, Mayor Jenny de Asis did not hesitate when she re-quested her to construct a small building in front

of the public market to be made as ‘Bantay kon-sumo’ center where a list of basic commodities and other items sold in the market and other estab-lishments will be posted and made available for the public to see. The price list is up-dated daily for customer

reference at the Bantay kunsumo’ center located at the entrance of San Francisco Public Market. The center will also serve as complaint desk for customer to lay down their complaints. “Since the Ban-tay Konsumo center was established, many


‘Bantay Konsumo’ project stabilizes commodities’ prices, caution price increase

Movement to “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong” snowballs

BUTUAN CITY – A movement is snowballing here in the region pushing “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong” mountain range.

customers and ven-dors stop and see the day’s suggested prices of commodities. In this way, almost all vendors have the same prices of their commodities be-cause they are cautious not to tag higher prices to their commodities be-cause of the information posted at the center,” Inson said. During the ‘Disk-wento Caravan’ held last

Nov. 2011, the Bantay Konsumo center became popular, hearing people saying, “It’s much better now, we have a ready reference on the cost of the commodities sold here in our market.” Consumers say that the listing is a great help to them as the “end users” so that they can fix their budget before deciding to buy some-thing.

At the height of price instability last year, the Bantay Konsumo Task Force convened and discussed measures in order to act on the unstable prices of basic commodities, especial-ly rice. Then came the idea of price monitoring by the Bantay Konsumo members where the idea of putting up a Bantay Konsumo Center was re-alized.

by Noel B. Najarro


The “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong,” movement kicks-off with a mini-symposium culminating with a signa-ture drive to the move-ment’s declaration of con-cern, held recently at the lobby of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) organized by the Ivory Charities Foundation, Inc., in line with its advocacy to save Mt. Hilong-Hilong, its thick jungle forest cover, its bio-diversity, its pristine rivers, falls and springs and its significance to environ-ment. Part of the mini-sym-posium was the reading of “Why Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong Range” by Atty. Vince Fortun, a member of the Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong Committee. The partici-pants also viewed the “Mt. Hilong-Hilong Primer” by Forester Benjie T. Lasam, another committee mem-ber. It was followed by the reading of the “Dec-laration of Concern” and a message from an “In-dian Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe” by two ICF members. The “Piso sa HX2”

was also launched as pre-sented by Engr. Abraham T. Montilla, another mem-ber of the committee. Ev-ery concerned individual who wanted to support the movement will drop at least a P1.00 in a marked box. The “Agusan Asso-ciation of America”, “Agu-san Association of Texas”, “Butuan Global Founda-tion, Inc.” and BBY2K10 signified their whole-heart-ed support for the move-ment. Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Lawrence Fortun signified the city lo-cal government’s support for the movement by their presence and by signing the movement’s declara-tion. Mr. Jaime G. Ubanos, Chief, Protected Areas and Wildlife Division, DENR Caraga, also represented his department during the activity. Each official gave their appropriate messag-es for the occasion. Mt. Hilong-Hilong ris-ing at 6,601.37 feet above sea level, considered the highest peak in Northeast-ern Mindanao can be lo-

cated at the Diwata Range near the boundaries of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces. The movement point-ed out in their “Declaration of Concern” that the range “forms a natural barrier” shielding Butuan City and Agusan del Norte “from the fierce pacific winds dur-ing typhoons.” They also claimed that Mt. Hilong-Hilong is “truly…one huge living natural lung, so vital today when the world’s environment and our very survival are threatened by carbon emissions and global warming.” The movement calls for the preserva-tion and the protection of the mountain range from


exploitation. They are at the same time pushing for the absolute prohibi-tion of mining, logging, quarrying, sale or export of its resources and dump-ing of solid or liquid waste and slash-and-burn way (kaingin) of farming. They are calling also for the con-servation of the land and everything underneath it, flowing on it, growing on it, living off it, or exuding from it. They insist that there shall be no develop-ment or construction, ex-cept if done for responsible and restricted tourism and recreation facilities. The movement also pointed out what they con-sidered a serious threat to

their present cause, was that even though there are two bills in the house of congress, where each bill accordingly “on the surface appears intended to protect Hilong-Hilong range by declaring it as a protected area,” they claimed however that succeeding provisions of the very the same bills clearly do not protect the mountain. They asserted that the bills “inexplicably allows mining, logging, quarrying, sale and ex-port of flora, fauna and other resources, and even dumping of toxic chemi-cals, upon authorization by a local management board.

They also pointed out that the composi-tion of the local board is “overwhelmingly domi-nated by local politicians and local public officials. The house bill accord-ingly provides also the representation of the two congressmen in the board. The DENR ac-cordingly, whose budget will provide for all expen-ditures is represented by only one, the Regional Director as chair of the board. The academe has only one representation and there will be three from the NGOs. The private sector accordingly, is markedly under represented even as they are the stakehold-ers who will suffer the ill effects of environmental degradation. They are calling for the withdrawal of the two bills in congress and sub-stitute the same with a more environment friendly legislation or a Presiden-tial Proclamation and that a public hearing be held in Butuan City for the pur-pose.


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AFP Chief of Staff visits Tabak division; vows to continue reform programs by Gideon C. Corgue

T o promote the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”, an anti-insurgency campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and to show his solidarity with the

troops in Mindanao, the newly assumed AFP Chief of Staff Lt.Gen. Jesse Dellosa on Saturday morning visited the 1st Infantry TABAK Division at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.


AFP Chief of Staff visits Tabak division; vows to continue reform programs

Disembarked in a military chopper, Dellosa was met by 1st Infantry Tabak com-mander Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes and welcomed in a full military arrival honors at the Tabak di-vison Grand stand . The Chief of Staff then proceeded to Ta -bak headquarters for a command briefing at the conference room with Coballes, Assistant divi-sion commander, chief of staff, special staff and unit commanders, and immediately after he gave his “talk to the men” at the Officer’s Club House. Dellosa said after he assumed his new

post as the 43rd Chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, his first pri-ority was to visit the troops in Mindanao. “Based on my timeline, I have to finish visiting the troops in Mindanao in one month,” Dellosa explained. The chief of staff said he gave a great concern of visiting the area adding that Mind-anao is the most trou-bled part of the coun-try. “Our soldiers in Mindanao are always in the frontline especially those who are assigned in the cities of Basilan, Zamboanga and Davao, and also in Jolo. My

visit here would be the last leg of my command visit,” Dellosa reported. Dellosa lauded sol-diers for actively tak-ing part in the disaster response of victims of tropical storm “Send-ong’ in Iligan city on De-cember 17. “I praised the efforts of the Tabak Division thru MajGen Coballes and the Task Force “Makal-intad” led by BGen Ro-land C. Amarille who helped the flood victims in Iligan. Dellosa said AFP’s general headquarters helped facilitate the 126,000 strong force of the army in raising funds by collecting


1-day from their subsis-tence allowance which is an equivalent of P90. “The P11,340,000 total worth of financial as-sistance which we have collected was imme-diately donated to the flood victims,” Dellosa added.’ “Aside from the cash assistance, Dellosa said we have sent the Engineering units in the area where they have conducted rescue and rehabilita-tion efforts. Dellosa also vowed to continue implement-ing the reform programs in the military especially the legislative and fiscal reforms, moderniza-tion reform , and etc. which was introduced by his predecessor, Gen. Oban, to address the never-ending issue

of graft and corruption in the military. Aside from reform programs, Dellosa said other thrusts he is now implementing are: to defend and protect the rights of our citrizens and safeguard human rights, and enhanced capability to perform disaster and rescue op-eration. With the imple-mentation of reform programs, the military, from top to bottom has now dramatically changed the gover-nance in in the military, Dellosa reported. Asked if the Inter-nal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan’ campaign was success-ful, Dellosa said the campaign was doing well saying that stakehold-ers especially the chief

executives of local gov-ernment units (LGUs) have actively partici-pated. “But if there are LCEs who failed to sup-port, I have directed the ground commanders to make the necessary re-port and I will person-ally give copy of the report to DILG to give sanctions for not follow-ing the order. The chief of staff has called on the Tabak troopers to be united. “ This year 2012, we must be united. We must avoid divisiveness at the AFP. We have to work as one,” Dellosa urged. After his three (3) hours visit in Tabak, the chief of staff proceeded to 35th IB in Salvador, Lanao del Norte, and 53rd IB in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur with the same purpose. Dellosa was ac-companied by Major Gen. Francisco Cruz Jr, Brigadier Gen. Romeo Calizo, and Rear Admi-ral Miguel Jose Rodriguez from the general headquarters. (JPA/GCC/PIA9- Pa-gadian City)


ZamboSur’s 2011 corn production bountiful: OPAPAGADIAN CITY – Zamboanga del Sur corn production coordinator Yolanda Labiaga-Enriquez of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) this weekend reported that last year the province has a bountiful corn production.

Enriquez said, from January to December 2011 the province reg-istered a very high ac-complishment in terms of yellow corn produc-tion, planted in the 8,848 hectares of land involving some 7,008 farmers. She said, that an-other 55,850 hectares

of land were also plant-ed with white corn in the same period cultivated by 58,316 farmers with a total production of 23,739 metric tons and 74,969 metric tons for yellow and white corn respectively. Not includ-ed in these report are crops planted from Sep-tember 16 to December 2011, Enriquez added. The lady coordina-

tor also disclosed, that one good thing is, our farmers were educated on the benefits on hybrid corn even without the intervention of the gov-ernment on yellow corn production, with their own efforts and initia-tives they were able to plant said corn thru their cooperatives. Enriquez added, that the local


government units also extended support to the farmers thru their livelihood programs by providing financial as-sistance to the farmers thru their cooperatives. The Department of Agriculture (DA), in its seed exchange program provided the province with one thousand bags of OPV seeds (white corn) which were distributed to the different munici-palities in the province. Each farmer were given 9 kilos of seeds for them

to plant and after har-vest season they are to return the same amount to the local government and in turn share it to another farmer. With this strategy the pro-duction of white corn eventually increase, and farmers could easily get the seeds for their next planting season, she said. With this devel-opment, the province has abundant supply of corn, especially farmers are now being provided

with post-harvest facili-ties by their respective local government units. Farmers are doing their best not to discontinue the seed exchange, OPA is closely monitoring the program, Enriquez said. She added, that the National Agribusi-ness Corporation (NAB-COR) based in Ramon Magsaysay, this province has contributed much in the corn post production in the province. (JPA/RLG/PGO/CAL/PIA9)


Yebes assures the Provincial Government’s preparedness for any calamity

DIPOLOG CITY- Getting lessons from the Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City tragedy wherein more than 1,000 lives were lost, the Provincial Government is now preparing for any calamity that may hit the province.

by Alfonso T. Ruda

Zamboanga del Norte Governor Ro-lando E. Yebes has as-sured that the provincial government will not be caught unprepared un-der his watch, during emergency and when calamity strikes. Yebes said, the Pro-vincial Government will fast-track the construc-tion of evacuation cen-ters in the different ba-rangays of the province in 2012.

(“Dili ko gusto nga panahon sa kalamidad ug emerhensiya, magli-sod ang gobyerno pag-pangita ug lugar nga maoy himoong evacu-ation centers, sama sa nahitabo sa dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan diin naglisod sila pagpangita ug himoong evacuation area nga pa-hilunaan sa mga bik-tima sa baha nga dala sa bagyong si Sendong,” matod pa ni Yebes.) “I

don’t want that during calamities and emer-gency, the government will find a hard time looking for an evacu-ation center like what happened in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, wherein they find hard time looking for an area to place the victims of flood brought about by typhoon Sendong,” Ye-bes said. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)

one mindanao - january 9, 2012

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