One Mindanao - December 11, 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

ShelterBox tents in Iligan

up with Rotary International

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

Lorry V. GabuleNorthern Mindanao

page 4

Today’s issue...Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 150

Olivia Sudaria, Central Mindanao Photo depicts youthful heroism in World War II

DEDoguiles, Central Mindanao Koronadal City ipinagdiwang ang ika-72 anibersaryo

Judith B. Tablan, Northern MindanaoGreening Tangub brings more income to the family – Mayor Tan

Ozamiz orders suspension of all activities that leads to destruction of environment

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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23

1315

20

26

27

Malacañang bares reactivation of Pantawid Pasada Program to cushion impact of increasing prices of petroleum products 9

NGCP announces power curtailment in Mindanao Mai Gevera-Macapagat, Southern Mindanao

12

29

FEAbkilan, Caraga Region Sec Gazmin leads groundbreaking of Surigao Norte provincial hospital here18

Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region BFAR-Caraga to intensify seaweeds dispersal, production19

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western MindanaoCity gov’t turns over P17 M projects in two barangays22

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

DOLE: 1.2 million jobs for 201211

Western MindanaoTask Force Ranao shuts down 7 sawmills in Lanao del Sur 21

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4 Wednesday, January 11, 2012ONE MINDANAO

ShelterBox tents in Iligan up with Rotary International

Cover Story

Around 150 tents from ShelterBox were installed as emergency shelter for the families hardly hit by Typhoon Washi (Tropical Storm Sendong).

by Lorry V. Gabule

5 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dig-nity to people made homeless by di-saster worldwide. ShelterBox, in partnership with District 3870 of Rotary International, Zone 2 Iligan City, composed of nine (9) clubs, this city, has put up the commonly called Tent City at a one-hectare land area situated beside Tambo Iligan Bus and Jeepney Ter-minal. In Iligan City, over 5,000 have lost their homes following the dev-astation wreaked by tropical storm Washi. Fresh floods brought misery forcing more people into evacuation centers. Severely affected areas were those in Upper Hinaplanon, Hina-planon proper, San Roque and Bayug Island. Rotarian Jess Nicdao of Shel-terBox Philippines, has been working with Rotarians in the area, the Philip-pine military and other aid agencies on the ground to get enough aid rap-idly to the affected area, and support-ing ShelterBox Response Team (SRT)


Volunteers headed by Abner Tayco to distribute emergency shelters in the region. “The evacuation site conditions are so unbearable, that children are the ones most affected,” said SRT vol-unteer Tayco. As to installation of the shelter-boxes, the Army Artillery Regiment, Philippine Army, based in Camp Lu-cero, Carmen, North Cotabato, came all the way to Iligan to assist in the installation, with the city government of Iligan providing the filling materials for the ground preparation. Camp Coordinator Rotarian Ni-colas dela Cruz of Rotary Iligan North said the Tent City has a centralized kitchen, water and lighting facilities, and toilets. Likewise, President Sarah Jane

Matba of Rotary Iligan-Maria Cristina said the shelterbox can accommodate not less than 10 persons- to a family with at least four (4) children, having an extended family like grandparents or an aunt to share. Settlers can stay for six (6) months or a year in the Tent City, until relocation site be provided for a per-manent shelter that they can call their own, Matba added. Typhoon Washi hit Mindanao on 16 to 18 December, devastating the cities of Cagayan do Oro and Iligan and killing over 1,200 people. ShelterBox responds instantly to disasters all around the world deliver-ing aid as quickly as possible to the people who need it most.



‘We will not ration oil’ – Lacierda

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda allayed fears that a fuel supply

shortage due to a disruption in the delivery of oil from Iran would result in fuel rationing, saying this was only one of the contingency plans of the government.

In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Lacierda said the Depart-ment of Energy continues to look for other solutions to the possible problem such as lowering the country’s consumption of fuel. “I spoke to Energy Secretary (Jose Rene) Al-mendras on that. Let me clarify: it is only a contin-gency plan. He does not believe, that the events in the Strait of Hormuz will worsen,” Lacierda said.

The Strait of Hor-muz is the only passage for ships carrying petroleum from major oil-exporting countries on the Arabian peninsula. Recently, Iran has raised tensions with the United States about access to said waterway thereby threatening the smooth de-livery of fuel to and from the peninsula. Lacierda said the gov-ernment is pushing its pro-gram to develop alternative sources of energy and will

soon revitalize the Pantawid Pasada program, a fuel sub-sidy scheme for public util-ity drivers and operators. “What we are doing right now, is that we are going to, in light of increas-es in oil prices, activate the Pantawid Pasada as we still have funds of about P200-million,” Lacierda said. “Let me clarify: we are not going to start ration-ing oil,” he added. (RCK)


‘We will not ration oil’ – Lacierda Malacañang bares reactivation of Pantawid Pasada Program to cushion impact of increasing prices of petroleum products

Malacanang bared the reactivation of the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) of the Aquino government in efforts to curtail the negative effects of the increasing prices of petroleum products locally due to the irrepressible forces in the international market.

10 Wednesday, January 11, 2012

In his regular media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Energy (DOE) has set some P200 million to lessen the ef-fects of the oil price hike under the PPP on the oil-consuming public, espe-cially the transport sector. “In the light of the in-creases in oil prices, we are going to activate the Pan-tawid Pasada (Program)… we still have funds there for about P200 million, so that is what we are doing right now. Just to let you know, the Dubai (oil) prices increased by six dollars per barrel that is the reason why there was an increase in the prices of oil,” Lacier-

da said. Lacierda assured that the minor problems that were experienced by the concerned sector in the PPP’s first launch will surely be addressed in its reacti-vation. When asked on the specific date of PPP’s reac-tivation, Lacierda said that he will have to confirm first from DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. “I will confirm with Secretary Almendras kung kailan ang umpisa ng Pan-tawid Pasada in so far as the glitches are concerned. I think based on experi-ence maiaayos na natin ang Pantawid Pasada Pro-gram,” Lacierda noted. He added that it will

defi-nitely be reactivated with the 200 million pesos funding to be sourced out from the Department of Energy. “Sure na iyon, we will confirm anytime soon,” he said. Major and indepen-dent oil players has an-nounced and implement-ed another oil price hike Wednesday, with petro-leum products prices go-ing up as much as P1.75 per liter. The increase was attributed to the ongoing tension in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, that may likely result to the clo-sure of the Strait Hormuz which serves as a major passage way for oil tank-ers. The blockade on the strait alone by Iran has al-ready caused major con-cerns in the world market and has been seen as the major cause of increase in pump prices during the first week of 2012. (JCL)


The Department of Labor and Employment targets to create

1.2 million jobs for the local employment this year. This was revealed by DOLE Spokesperson Nicon Fameronag during the Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) forum held at PIA, Wednesday.

DOLE: 1.2 million jobs for 2012

Fameronag said the de-partment encourages local government units all over the country to institutional-ize public employment as a mechanism to facilitate job placement in the country-side. In 2011, the DOLE spokesperson said, 2 mil-lion local jobs and 1 million overseas jobs were created. Moreover, he said that the year 2011 has been very

prolific, despite the first quar-ter Middle East and North African crisis. He said this could be attributed to their full blast implementation of reforms in the agency. To date, at least 177 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who came home from Middle East and North Africa availed of the projects offered in the National Re-integration Program. This program was allocated with

a P2 billion-fund to provide loans to OFWs which they could use as an initial capi-tal in starting a business. Fameronag said the loan comes with a very low annual interest rate of 7 percent, collateral-free and without conduit. Fameronag is a guest in today’s CNEX Forum, aired live over Peoples Television Network (PTV4) and DZRB Radyo ng Bayan.


DepEd XII ranks 3rd in Enhanced Basic Education Information System

KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Education in region XII is third in the implementation of the Enhanced Education Informa-tion System among the regions in the country.


DepEd XII’s EBEIS -in-charge explained that EBEIS is an ICT-enabled system designed to en-hance data manage-ment to support plan-ning, quality assurance, monitoring and evalua-tion at the school, divi-sion, regional and na-tional levels.

The wide-scale imple-mentation of the EBEIS, according to Lotilla, will operationalize the sys-tem primarily to improve the collection and report-ing of school statistics to support the formulation

of budgetary plans.The web-based sys-

tem, she said, aims to engage as many schools as possible in encoding their school statistics in the system, strengthen the validation of data submitted to improve its accuracy.

Lotilla further said the rollout helps to generate reports to support bud-get and plan formulation and identify the neces-sary adjustments as well as institutional support requirements to enhance system effectiveness,

efficiency, relevance and sustainability.

She added this inno-vation gives full account-ability to the school head to encode their school data and statistics into the system.

On the other hand, she continued, the updating of school record due to permanent or temporary closure , school’s curric-ulum and validation of school statistics are the responsibilities of the di-vision planning officer. (OTSudaria/PIA 12/KHL/DepEd 12)

Photo depicts youthful heroism in World War II by Olivia Sudaria

KORONADAL CITY -- Visitors to the opening of the Photo Exhibit at the lobby of the Koronadal city hall on January 5 were all eyes at the photo of a 16-year old boy holding a carbine rifle.

The photo ex-hibit which is a trib-ute to the veterans through the efforts of the Philippine Vet-erans Bank and the local government unit of Koronadal City paved the way for the people to appreciate the he-

roic exploits of Fili-pino fighters during World War II which include Jose Enrijo.

Enrijo, who was then 16 years old is seen in the pho-to holding a carbine riffle issued by the Americans during the second world

war. He said he had to be armed then as everyone was called to defend the coun-try against the ag-gressors. As a young teen he saw action in Bayombong, Nue-va Vizcaya.

H e i s n o w 8 6 y e a r s o l d a n d


residing at Baran-gay GPS, Koronadal City where he moved after the war.

Enrijo was pres-ent during the open-ing of the exhibit.

To the queries of curious visitors who asked him if he did not fear for his life and on the number of enemies he killed: “Hindi ako natakot kasi kailangan nating ipagtanggol ang ating buhay. Hindi ko mabi-lang ang mga napatay kong kalaban,” (I was not afraid because I

have to defend my-self. I lost count of the enemies I killed) Enrijo said.

Philippine Veter-ans Bank director Per-cianita Racho thanked Mayor Peter Miguel for hosting the photo exhibit and stressed the importance of the undertaking in reliv-ing the heroism of the war veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect the sover-eignty of our nation.

Dr. Ricardo Jose of the University of the Philippines related

that South Cotaba-to has its heroic de-fenders mentioning among others Epang Garingo, a woman who was adamant to reveal the where-about of her brother Pepe, an army lieu-tenant during world war II despite be-ing subjected to tor-tures.

The traveling exhibit is one of the more significant ac-tivities of the on go-ing Hinugyaw festival of Koronadal City.


Koronadal City ipinagdiwang ang ika-72 anibersaryoKORONADAL CITY -- Ipinagdiriwang kahapon ng mga residente ng Koronadal ang ika-pitumpu’t pitong anibersaryo ng lungsod.

Sinimulan ang hul-ing araw ng selebrasyon sa pamamagitan ng isang civic parade kasama ang mga kawani ng lungsod, mga iba’t ibang sektor at mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na nakabase lung-sod.

S i n u n -dan ito ng isang drumline compe-tition na ang ka-lahok ay galing sa iba’t ibang bayan sa buong South Cotabato at mga karatig lalawigan.

Imbi tado bilang panauh-ing pandangal si Interior and Lo-cal Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. Subalit dahil sa isyung panseguridad na kailangan tutukan kahapon sa Metro Manila, hindi ito nakarating sa pagdiriwang.

Sa halip pinadala nito si Assistant Secretary Nari-

man Ambolodto upang ba-sahin ang kanyang men-sahe sa mga residente ng lungsod.

Alas-singko ng hapon nangyari naman ang

kauna-unahang Piyeste Korona sa Koronadal.

Ang Piyesta Korona ay pinaghalong streetdanc-ing at mardi gras kung saan pinakatampok sa storyline ang makukulay na korona.

Sinundan ito ng mag-

damag na disco sa kalye sa buong gitna ng Gensan Drive, pinakamalawak na kalsada ng lungsod. May kasama pa itong foam par-ty.

Bilang hudyat sa pag-tatapos ng 72nd Foundation Anniversary at 12th Hinu-gyaw Festival, isang en-gradeng fireworks display ang natunghayan alas diyes ng gabi. (DEDoguiles)


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Phil. Red Cross AgNor-Butuan City Chapter reports 2011 accomplishments; sets 2012 activitiesby Jennifer P. Gaitano

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte has presented its accomplishments for 2011 and set the activities for 2012 during the regular meeting held recently at the GR Banaag RCY Development Center here.


Officers of the fol-lowing committees also reported its accomplish-ments as of December 2011 in the following areas: Disaster Manage-ment Service; Blood Ser-vices; Safety Services;

Community Health and Nursing Service; Red Cross Youth; Social Ser-vices; and Fund Genera-tion. The PRC had 264 blood donors in Decem-ber. It also conducted a total of 56 blood ser-

vices activities within the month in partnership with other stakeholders. Administrator Cairo urged the public to do-nate more blood. He also stressed that blood do-nors should be within the age range of 16-65 years old. A 16-year old donor needs parental consent; while 65 years old per-son may be allowed to donate blood may he is a regular donor. The following ac-tivities will be conducted as part of the Red Cross’ fund generation: 1) Bin-go for a Cause on May 5, 2012; 2) Dinner Date with Acoustics on August 24, 2012; and 3) Raffle Bonanza on December 19, 2012. Meanwhile, Dr. Vir-gilio Nery Jr, city council-or commends the efforts and active participation of the PRC in the City Di-saster Risk Reduction and Management Council.


Sec Gazmin leads groundbreaking of Surigao Norte provincial hospital hereby FEAbkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led today the groundbreaking of the new provincial hospital at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer, this province.

The 50-bed medi-cal facility has an initial funding of P50 million which is set to benefit thousands of people, es-pecially those of low in-come living in the area. Gov. Sol Matugas,1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas, 2nd District Rep. Guiller-

mo Romarate and Placer Mayor Felimon Napuli will assist Sec. Gazmin and Department of Health officials during today’s groundbreaking rites at the two-hectare site. Matugas revealed that that project was fi-nally realized after Sec.

Gazmin recently ap-proved the swapping of the two-hectare proper-ty owned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer with the property of the provincial govern-ment located at Brgy. Magpayang, Mainit.


Sec Gazmin leads groundbreaking of Surigao Norte provincial hospital here

BFAR-Caraga to intensify seaweeds dispersal, production

BUTUAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Caraga Region is intensifying seaweeds dispersal and production.

by Robert E. Roperos

According to Rizal-inda Abing, seaweeds has been doing well in the market and with the production here in the region, fisherfolks who are beneficiaries of the seaweeds dispersal and production program will now have the opportu-nity to earn income. Because of this, the official said, BFAR is coordinating with local officials in the coastal provinces of the region whose areas are suit-

able for dispersing and producing seaweeds. Abing said they have dryer to be used by these fisherfolk-benefi-ciaries to dry seaweeds, and therefore produc-ing different seaweeds products. “Aduna kita’y sea-weeds dryer aron pa-gagamiton sa atong mga beneficiaries pagpa-uga sa mga seaweeds, ug mahimo na’ng produkto nga pwede na’ng ibali-gya,” Abing said.

(We have seaweeds dryer to be used by our beneficiaries to dry sea-weeds, and will be made into products for sale.) Aside from this, Abing stressed they have been providing technical assistance to the ben-eficiaries particularly in conducting trainings and seminars for them to be given techniques and strategies on seaweeds dispersal and produc-tion.


City gets P10.5M fund assistance from DILG for project-implementation

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by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

The city government of Zamboanga is set

to receive a P10.5million fund from the national government through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to augment the city’s 2012 budget for the implementation of various projects. City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias in a press statement said “Zam-boanga City is one of the local government units (LGU) in the country that passed the seal of good house-keeping and qualified

as recipient of the Lo-cal Government Sup-port Fund (LGSF).” Covarrubias ex-plained “the P10.5M funding that will be released to the city government will be utilized for the imple-mentation of various

projects in the city, like rural electrifica-tion projects, repair of school buildings con-structed by the de-partment of Educa-tion, river control and rip rap projects and several others.” Covarrubias said,


City gets P10.5M fund assistance from DILG for project-implementation

Task Force Ranao shuts down 7 sawmills in Lanao del SurISABELA CITY – Elements of the newly reinforced Task Force Ranao had shut down seven sawmills in the municipality of Kapai in Lanao del Sur recently as it engages in an all-out offensive against illegal logging in the province pursuant to the total log ban directives of caretaker Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

A c c o r d i n g t o Hataman, the task force has recommended the filing of appropriate legal charges against some barangay officials be-lieved to be involved in logging operation in the municipality. The task force, headed by the Philippine Army’s 103rd infantry brigade under the com-mand of Col. Daniel Lucero, has also appre-

hended around 25 truck-loads of cut logs during the operation. The Bureau of Pub-lic Information said that ARMM OIC governor Hataman reiterated his earlier pronouncement of not sparing anyone found to have culpability in the widespread illegal logging in the province, which is blamed by some to have exacerbated the flood that wreaked

Iligan City. An initial report released by Task Force Sendong, a special task force created by the re-gional government to investigate the matter, points to VicMar Devel-opment Corp., a Makati City-based company, as the largest logging op-erator in the province since 1975. Unconfirmed re-ports suggests influential

DILG Secretary Jes-se Robredo issued a memorandum regard-ing the utilization of the LGSF stating that the funds shall be uti-lized as capital expen-ditures and shall be used to augment the approved 2012 An-nual Investment Plan (AIP) of LGU-benefi-ciaries for implemen-tation of projects to include among others

rural electrification, local roads connect-ing national roads, ar-terial farm to market roads and bridges, lo-cal economic enter-prises and flood con-trol and drainage and to support various pri-ority projects of the national government such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Philippine Di-saster Risk Reduction

and Management (PDRRM) Act if 2010 and Solid Waste Man-agement Act of 2000.The lady IO informed, aside from Zamboan-ga City, other LGUs that will receive LGSF share in region 9 in-clude Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Norte, Dapitan City, Dipolog City and Pagadian City. (JPA /PIA ZBST)


individuals to be behind the company, enabling it to proceed with its log-ging operation despite the imposition of a total log ban in the region by

the two past governors of the ARMM. In addition to a to-tal log ban, Hataman also issued a moratorium on the issuance of pri-

vate land timber permit so as not to provide log-gers room for evasion. (JPA/BPIARMM/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

City gov’t turns over P17 M projects in two barangaysby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government, headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat, turned over 11 infrastructure projects amounting to P17.1M to two far-off barangays - Bunguiao and Dulian.

Of the P17.1 M projects, Barangay Bunguiao received 6 projects worth P10.44 M which include two foot bridges, 3 road projects, and the re-habilitation of a two-storey 6 classroom building in Bunguiao Elementary School. B e r n a r d i t o Francisco, the princi-pal of the said school, thanked Mayor Lo-bregat for the proj-ect showing his con-cern to the more than 800 pupils there. It was learned that grades 4-6 pupils hold their classes un-der the shades of the trees and the project means a much condu-

cive learning place for them. Lobregat also committed a new 3-s-torey 20-classroom building for the school to the delight of the teachers, pupils, and community as a whole. After the turn over in Bunguiao, Mayor Lobregat and some key city officials proceeded to Dulian to turn over five road projects worth P6.75 M, benefitting the farmers. The projects interlink interior parts of the barangay mak-ing transport of pro-duce much easier. Dulian Chairman Perfecto Dela Cruz has

nothing but gratitude to the city govern-ment for the projects initiated by Mayor Lo-bregat. “It was during the term of Mayor Lobregat that we re-ceived so many need-ed projects”, Dela Cruz said. Aside from these projects, the Baran-gay Hall of Dulian is also set to be com-pleted soon. Lobregat added that Dulian will be one of the first recipi-ents of off-road vehi-cle that will be given to each barangay by the city government. (JPA/MVC/PIA9- ZBST)


Mahinog thanks Japan for flood control projectsby Homer R. Jajalla

Town mayor Alex R. Jajalla expressed gratitude to the

Japan government for the construction of P568-million worth of flood control projects at the inauguration ceremony here in barangay Pontod on Satuday.

“On behalf of the municipal government and the people of Mahinog, I wish to convey our endless gratitude to the Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) represented today by His Excellency Akio Isomata, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, for extending its assistance in the completion of two Sabo dams and reconstruction of heavily damaged bridge that would help save lives and property

particularly in the Municipality of Mahinog,” the local chief executive said.

It can be recalled that Camiguin was hit by massive flash flood triggered by typhoon “Nanang” in 2001 that left untold death and destruction in various parts of the island province. The hardest hit was barangay Hubangon in the municipality of Mahinog. Jajalla said with traumatic experiences after the flood, people were afraid every time it rains hard. “The mere thought of knowing


a tropical storm is coming, sends shivers down the spines of many people, especially in barangay Hubangon, the hardest hit during Nanang.” “We were too scared every moment it rains very hard. We felt insecure and nervous, fearing the worst flood was to hit again,” Jajalla said. He said after the project was in place, people can now sleep very well. “Now with the huge Sabo dam in place, people will now feel safe and assured of safety as we will no longer fear being hit by flood as we know this dam is designed to control flooding, or lessen flood damage in low lying areas,” the mayor added. Jajalla also acknowledged Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo and Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo for giving their best effort from conception to completion of this important project that will play a very important role in Camiguin’s economy and disaster risk reduction management campaign. “This project will not only provide the community for safer living

condition; it will become an asset for greater economic productivity in this beautiful island of Camiguin,” Jajalla said. “The new bridge that we also unveil today is more than just a bridge that links the entire province. This is, indeed, a bridge to the highway of opportunity that would drive trade and commerce, trigger local economy and generate job creation in the entire province,” the mayor added. Jajalla stressed though this project is a major achievement to celebrate, much work still remains to ensure that people are safe and better lives are achieved. “After this project, more long-term and sustainable development approaches are still needed to be done,” he stressed. “The issue on climate change must be tackled urgently, with fresh perspective, in the light of rapid climate change that led to an increase in natural disasters that hit most parts of the country this year including the


massive flooding that hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan recently.” “We will continue to lobby developed country governments like Japan to show more urgency in dealing with climate change and continue to provide additional grant aid projects related to climate change,” he said. The local chief executive expressed hope that JICA will return back to Camiguin for more development assistance projects that will improve the quality of life among Camiguingnons. “His Excellency Minister Isomata, with thankful hearts, kindly convey our endless gratitude to your government and your people for making these projects possible.” “In the meantime, the people of the municipality of Mahinog will look forward to welcoming you back soon,” Jajalla concluded. For his part, Isomata said that Japan will continue to help “in whatever way we can” to help Filipinos better prepare for natural disasters. “This project reaffirms the continued commitment of Japan to extend cooperation in minimizing threats of disaster and we will continue to help Philippines in whatever way we can,” he said. However, he reminded the public not to become complacent with the project, but remain vigilant and prepared for disaster. “Disaster happens when everybody is just about to forget it,” he stressed. (PIO)


Greening Tangub brings more income to the family – Mayor Tanby Judith B. Tablan

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental – The local government unit, here, will continue its greening program to act as buffer to landslides and floodings in the highland barangays.

“We started the project in 1992, even when global warming and climate change was not the hot issue of the day and we intend to step up the project in the city, this year, also to add food on the table of the household beneficiaries,” City Mayor Philip Tan, said. He said the tall mahogany trees that now line up the barangay roads and the productive fruit farm in Barangay Kimat are the result

of this project. For the second time of his incumbency, massive tree planting became one of the priority agenda of his administration, as he distributed high value fruit tree seedlings and forest trees to the different barangays. The Mayor dreams of making Tangub City as the fruit basket of Misamis Occidental and to make fruits available even to ordinary folks of the city, and for added income to the family. Even tourist would come to Tangub, not only for the Dalit Festival and the Christmas Symbols Festival, but also for the affordable and sweet fruits available in the city.


Greening Tangub brings more income to the family – Mayor Tan

Ozamiz orders suspension of all activities that leads to destruction of environmentby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Mayor Nova Princes E. Parojinog-Echavez has ordered all the Village Chiefs of the city’s 51 barangays to suspend all activities in their respective areas leading to the destruction of the environment.

In her Executive Order No. 001, dated Jan. 10, 2012, the Mayor included the monitoring of unauthorized cutting of trees within the territorial jurisdiction of the city as preemptive measure for the public safety and welfare of all Ozamiznons. “Recent events and incidents shows massive destruction of life and property resulting from indiscriminate abuse of our natural rain forest,” she said. These events includes the indiscriminate excavation and mining resulting in the destruction of our mountain landscape, as well, as quarrying in lands within and along river banks resulting to floods and inundation of lands. “There is a need to regulate these activities to preempt and prevent the effect of massive destruction affecting the lives and property of our people,” the Mayor said.

These activities, if not regulated, would perpetuate the great substantive evil destruction of the ecosystem of our environment and the rest of our Mother Earth. Meanwhile, the Mayor also directed the following officials to coordinate with the barangay leaders in monitoring these activities and submit a report to enforce a moratorium and/or suspension of quarry operations within and along the river banks of Ozamiz: The City Director of the Philippine National Police (PNP), City Engineer, City Planning and Development Officer, City Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO).

Since July 2010 up to October 2011, fruit tree seedlings distributed include rambutan, 2,631, durian-2,790, lanzones, 1,369, pomelo, 1,885, and marang-1,187.

Forest trees include mahogany, 11,436, jasmine, 1,528, balite, 650, and Brazilian tree, 250, giant bamboo, 600, rubber, 4,300 and cacao, 4,100. (PIO)


DOST-XI offers energy consumption audit in the workplace by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

With the looming power shortage that Mindanao

is again facing, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI is all set to have its DREAM Team to audit energy con-sumption of business establish-ments and other sectors in the region. “If we can’t add power, then let us reduce power consumption,” said DOST-XI assistant regional di-rector Elsie Solidum in today’s Club 888 at Marco Polo Hotel, this city.

The DREAM Team or the Davao Region Energy Audit and Manage-ment Team composed mostly of ex-perts, engineers, and even private individuals were given proper train-ing, equipments, and instruments to capacitate them do energy au-dits in establishments that request for that particular service. DOST believes that an energy audit is a good starting step to earn more savings by way of ensuring efficient appliance and electronic uses in the workplace. This is found a necessity by most industries that wanted to re-duce input cost by ensuring the use of highly efficient gadgets and ap-pliances. DOST has started its auditing in its own workplace and it has re-placed ordinary fluorescent lights to T5 lights. Experts claimed a thir-ty percent lighting consumption re-duction the moment they did the replacement of lights.


The DREAM Team has also started doing energy audits in small and medium enterprises which hold the bulk of the business community in the region. DREAM Team is a multi-agency group with members from the In-stitute of Integrated Electrical En-gineers (IIEE), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), the University of Mindanao (UM), and DOST XI. The team is now ready to pro-vide energy audit services to all in-terested industries in the region. It will help industries in setting energy conservation goals, identify areas where energy wastes can oc-

cur, relate energy consumption to production, improve the process/equipment efficiencies, and recom-mend energy saving opportunities. One of the members of the DREAM team suggested for the re-placement of old appliances to a new but efficient one as this could result to a remarkable reduction of electric consumption. Experts could also measure the savings that the establishment can achieve after following the recom-mendations to be provided for by the team. The DREAM team now accepts requests to have this particular en-ergy audit service in their establish-ment.

NGCP announces power curtailment in MindanaoDAVAO CITY – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announces the necessary curtailment of power supply that could result to scheduled brown-outs in the entire Mindanao fol-lowing the thin reserves and dis-patchable power supply. NGCP spokesperson Cynthia P. Alabanza told the Davao media that power in Mindanao is very tenuous as reserve which is needed to main-tain stability of power becomes very thin. “Ideally, we need to have a 24

percent reserve of the actual load. Also lately, we do not have dispatch-able supply which led to the issu-ance of red alert status.” she said. At present Mindanao has a 150 megawatt deficiency in its peak pe-riod from 10 am to 5:30 pm and a 200 megawatt deficiency from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Alabanza explained some fac-tors that cause power interruptions. One is when power supply cannot meet the demand, another factor is the scheduled maintenance of power plants which is usually set on days with low peak in demand.


With the scheduled mainte-nance of plants, NGCP recommends a schedule while the National Power Commission (Napocor) issues an of-ficial matrix that should be the basis for the curtailment schedule. The NGCP spokesperson can-not tell as to how long will Mindanao suffer brownout schedules brought about by the curtailment process. She explained that if NGCP is only to balance power supply based on scheduled maintenance of plants, then Mindanao wouldn’t need cur-tailment. But given that unscheduled maintenance of plants are so pos-sible that might cause interruption and with the thin power reserves, thus, NGCP couldn’t tell as to how long these scheduled brownouts will last. The grid company hopes that the additional 100 megawatt that

may be provided for by the Iligan Diesel Power Plant could be of help and mitigate the power shortage.NGCP continues to aim for a good mix of power sources as it also hopes to have the needed power plants. “But we realized that it is not easy to over build. Building plants which may turn out not needed in the long run may be unfair to the consumers as they will be paying the cost. Rather, we will optimize the system.” she added. By that, NGCP balances the need to build power plants and the need to interconnect the power link between Mindanao and Visayas. This way, potential investors may bite and invest in Mindanao power given that they are offered an al-ternative to sell power supply else-where if Mindanao has enough of it. (PIA/Mai Gevera-Macapagat)

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One Mindanao - December 11, 2012