One Mindanao - February 28, 2014

President Aquino: Malaysia state visit could improve Philippine Economy, develop Mindanao

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 130

President Aquino inaugurates first Petron service station built in Malaysia

NATIONAL

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NORTHERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

IGaCoS orders random drug test for city workers

GA-10 all set for Women’s Month celebration

LGU to give award to Outstanding Cabadbaranons

LGU Butuan prepares for Women’s Month celeb

DENR spearheads land title distribution

Zambo is hotspot for birding, says int’l bird expert

Games and amusement cmte to study application for Bingo in CdeO

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Emmanuel D. Taghoy

Dominic I. SanchezJay Vincent V. Demain

Diana Generalao

Recthie T. Paculba

Information to Empower Filipinos

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CIO

President Aquino: Malaysia state visit could improve Philippine Economy, develop Mindanao

President Benigno S. Aquino III said that among the country’s gains in his

two-day state visit here in Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s reaffirmation of its assistance for Mindanao peace, improvement in trade, and the creation of a banking and financial system in Mindanao once a final peace pact is signed.

Malaysia has been helping the Philippines attain peace in Mindanao for a decade, working as a facilitator in the talks, sending monitoring teams, and other components of the peace process, the President said in an interview Friday with Philippine media at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. In his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister noted that the two-way trade between the

Philippines and Malaysia is around $4.5 billion and has a lot of room for improvement. With the Philippines having a huge population, with less than 100 million, increasing trade could benefit the Philippines and its neighboring Asean countries such as Malaysia. And this should not happen immediately, the President said quoting the Malaysian leader. Malaysia, which has expertise in Islamic banking is also willing to

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assist the Philippines put up Islamic

banks in Mindanao once a final peace agreement is forged. “We have a state institution—financial institution that should cater to the banking needs of our Muslim brothers,

which is called Al-Amanah. And what Al-Amanah has succeeded in doing from the time it started was to basically exhaust the capital that was infused into it.” “The MILF has been asking that it be turned over to them, or we will actually sell them the entity, so that a new entity with the

necessary expertise will be able to service the banking needs in conformity with the principles of Islam,” he said. In his meeting with the business community here, the President has also invited Malaysian businessmen to come to Mindanao and invest. PND

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President Aquino arrives in Malaysia for two-day state visit

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here for a two-day state visit. Philippine Airlines chartered flight 001 carrying

the President and his 57-member delegation touched down at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 3:15 pm Thursday.

Across the Nation

This is the President’s first state visit to Malaysia since assuming office in 2010. The last Philippine leader to have made a state visit in Malaysia was in 2001.

Accompanying the President were

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles,


President Aquino arrives in Malaysia for two-day state visit

Across the Nation Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Abad, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, and Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria.

President Aquino is visiting Kuala Lumpur on the invitation of Malaysia’s King or Supreme Head of State Tuanku Abdul

Halim and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.While in Malaysia, President Aquino

will meet King Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Prime Minister Razak, the Filipino community and Malaysian businessmen.

The Palace said the government allocated P9 million for the President’s state visit to Malaysia.

President Aquino inaugurates first Petron service station built in Malaysia

President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated Thursday the first service station built by Petron in Malaysia since the

company poured a huge amount of investment in the country two years ago.


The Petron MRR2 Jalan Selayang station here in Kuala Lumpur is the first station built by Petron following its investment of $610 million in early 2012 to acquire 65 percent of publicly listed Petron Malaysia Refining and Marketing Bhd, Petron Fuel International Sdn Bhd and Petron Oil (M) Sdn Bhd.

These three companies comprise Petron Malaysia which represents the single largest investment by a Philippine company.

Petron Malaysia is a subsidiary of Petron Corp., the largest oil refining and marketing company in the Philippines, which has been operating for the past 80 years.

Ramon Ang, Petron’s chairman and CEO, said the President’s visit inspires the company to create more value to its customers and stakeholders while playing a major role in the energy needs of Malaysia.

Petron investments are expected to reach over $1 billion in the next few years especially with the upgrade of Port Dickinson refinery and with the continuing

expansion of its retail network.Petron Malaysia has successfully

completed the re-imaging and upgrading of 300 out of 560 stations of Petron in Malaysia. The company targets to complete the upgrade program by the end of this year.

Among the officials who accompanied the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Abad, and Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino. PND

9FEBRUARY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

President Aquino invites Prime Minister Razak to come to Manila for the signing of Bangsamoro Peace Pact

President Benigno S. Aquino III invited Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to come to the Philippines for the signing of the

Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro at the end of March this year. The peace talks between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front was facilitated by Malaysia.

“The successful conclusion of the Mindanao peace process finds root in the determination of both our peoples to strengthen the foundations of peace and justice,” the President

said in his press statement after his meeting with the Malaysian leader.

“This makes possible the empowerment of all the peoples of Mindanao. I look forward to welcoming Your Excellency in


Manila for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”

The President also said he believes Malaysia is a reliable partner in pursuing the vision of a peaceful Mindanao, and the Asian neighbor could further contribute to the development of the Land of Promise by encouraging their businesses to invest in Mindanao.

The Filipino leader invited Malaysia to work with Philippine companies to develop the Philippine palm oil industry, among other sub-industries in agriculture.

“This is an area that aims to open more doors of opportunity for growth for both our peoples,” he said.

The President also expressed his gratitude to the people of Malaysia

for helping the Philippines in the wake of typhoon Yolanda that devastated the country late last year.

At the same time, President Aquino said he is looking forward to seeing Prime Minister Razak in the 8th Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting, which will take place this year.

This meeting serves as an important opportunity for the two countries to deepen their engagement by discussing bilateral relations, and examining the progress of the initiatives they have forged so far.

The President also announced the signing of agreements on cultural and education cooperation which he said, will become the foundation of even closer ties between Malaysia and the Philippines. PND


Dabaonons engage in riverbank treeplanting

DAVAO DEL NORTE – Residents of flood-prone barangays have al-ready planted thousands of seed-lings of deep-rooted vegetation along the banks of major rivers, as part of the community-based disaster management program of

the province. Barangay o f f i c i a l s , f a r m e r s , m o t h e r s , t e a c h e r s and school c h i l d r e n teamed up in planting v e t i v e r , malobago, b a m b o o , narra and other trees a l o n g

the banks of the rivers of Libuganon, Saug and Panaga, as part of the activities of the provincial government’s Oplan A.N.D.A.M. program. Over 5,000 seedlings


have already been planted in eight barangays visited by the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management) caravan. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario launched the program last December to reduce the vulnerability and build the resilience of communities that are at risk. Aside from the river bank protection activity, participants of Oplan A.N.D.A.M. were also given breakaway lectures on basic life-saving techniques, water sanitation and hygiene, bio-gas technology and botanical concoction, and earthquake/fire drill. O I C - P r o v i n c i a l Environment and Natural Resources Officer Brigida Cudal said the use of live vegetation is a cheap alternative to costly structural engineering measures for riverbank protection. Although they require time to establish, she said the grasses, shrubs and trees are self maintaining and re-generating once their roots

are secured, providing the communities and farmlands protection against flash floods. The DOLE Stanfilco-affiliated Kasilak Foundation and Dana Foundation assisted in providing counterpart seedlings, as part of their corporate social responsibility. Eleven-year old Nandine Agbon said she found fulfillment in joining the planting activity along the bank of the headwaters of Libuganon River, during ANDAM’s 7thstop in Gupitan, Kapalong town earlier this month. “Nalipay ako nga miapil sa pagtanum aron panalipdan ang daplin sa suba (I am happy to join in the planting activity to protect the river bank,” beamed the Grade 4 pupil after placing a vetiver seedling on the ground. She said it was indeed an opportunity to be able to help protect their community, while at the same time saving the watershed areas of the province.(noel baguio/davnor pio)


ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SA-MAL- Mayor Aniano P. Antalan ordered to conduct random drug testing to city employees Tuesday aimed at making the workplace drug-free. The random drug testing operation was in accordance to section 36 of Article III of Repub-lic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Danger-ous Act of 2002 which provides that “officers and employees of public and private offices shall undergo a random drug test as contained in the company’s work rules and regulations and as per Executive Order No. 15 series of 2013, which is an order Estab-lishing Drug-Free Workplace Pol-icy Guidelines for Island Garden City of Samal and as per recom-mendation of Drug Abuse Preven-tion and Control Office(DAPCO). The City Health Office in coor-dination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI led the conduct of the drug test together with the City Human

Resource Management Office for the random selection of employ-ees to be tested. Fifty one employees from the departments of General Services Office,Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources and Engi-neering were randomly selected for the drug testing On the same day, random drug test was also conducted to twenty four Philippine National Police (PNP) by the City Health Office together with the PDEA personnel. Dr. Dennis Carlos Flores, city health officer of Igacos said the random drug testing conducted among employees turned out to be uneventful since the result is negative. “This means that illegal drug use is not rampant among city hall employees,” he said. Flores said that another round of random drug testing will be made in other remaining offices the city. (Melrose-samal-cio)

IGaCoS orders random drug test for city workers


Tandag Women’s Month celeb kicks-off Mar 1By Nida Grace P. BarcenaAgusan del Sur - The Women’s month celebration in Tandag City will kick-off with a fun run dubbed as “Hinay na Dagan Para sa kaBabayen-an” on Saturday, March 1.


With the team: “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Nati sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel will lead the activity around 5:30am, Saturday from Tandag City Plaza going to Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. Boulevard.

The Hataw exercise will then follow at the City Boulevard. Free arozcaldo will also be served to

all the participants.Other activities lined-up for the

month-long celebration include Women’s Congress on March 8 in time with the International Women’s Day, KALANDRAKAS and the Bingo Socials in collaboration with the other government agencies and stakeholders. The said activities will be held in Tandag City Gymnasium.

LGU to give award to Outstanding CabadbaranonsBy Jay Vincent V. Demain

CABADBARAN CITY -- The city government here is set to give an award to a Cabadbaranon who will excel in his/her field of endeavor.

Under City Ordinance no. 2013-043 authored by Cababaran City councilor Alicia C. Funcion, the award dubbed as “Sulondon nga Cabadbaranon”, will be given to individuals who will bring honor to the city.

To qualify, he/she must be born in the said city, with good moral character, and must excel in his/her field of endeavor.

The chosen field may be in government service, education, health, business or management,


LGU Butuan prepares for Women’s Month celebBUTUAN CITY -- The local government here is already finalizing its plans for the upcoming Women’s Month Celebration on March. This, as the members of the Gender and Development Coordinating Council (GADCC) convened at the City Mayor’s Conference Room 2 in the afternoon of Feb. 17, 2014.

Chaired by the City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. and co-chaired by SP Member and Chairman on the Committee on Women, Children and Family Concerns Rema E. Burdeos, this year’s celebration will launch new activities that will focus on the theme, “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong!”

Among the new activities to be showcased is the women’s association logo-making contest on the second week and the unveiling of the winning logo on the last day of the month-long celebration. Participating in this contest with cash prizes at stake will be women from the different barangays here. The winning logo will then be officially used by the women’s

association.The month-long calendar of activities

also consist of Juana Walk for a Change – a fun walk which will commence from the Provincial Capitol to the City Hall grounds, Juana’s Fiesta Caravan – a 3-day fair of various products originally handcrafted by members of the different women’s organizations here, Juana Be Healthy and Beautiful – a whole-day showcase of wellness services for women ranging from free medical and dental check-ups to makeovers to legal consultations, Juana’s Pep Talk – a weekly on-air discussion of women’s rights over participating radio stations, and Juana’s Night – a night of fun specially prepared for the women.

By Diana Generalao

agriculture, trade and industry, laws and justice, engineering, science and technology, arts, literature, history and culture, sports and entertainment, mass communication and community service.

Forty Percent (40%) of the criteria will be based on his/her field of specialization. The other 40% will be based in honesty,

integrity, justness and accountability in his/her self, in others and in the community. The remaining 20% will be based in his/her ‘pagkinabuhing solondon’ (exemplary life).

The ordinance, after it was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte recommended by Board Member Rodulfo A. Pitogo, is now for implementation in the said city.


4ID conducts foot march, bivouacby Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The officers and men of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division conducted foot march and bivouac at 3:00 p.m. here today.


According to Major General Ricardo R Visaya, 4ID’s commanding general, the foot march and bivouac served as one way of empathizing with the fellow soldiers in the field who are frequently sent by foot traversing the rigorous terrain during combat operations. He said the exercise is done to check the readiness of individual soldier at the Division Headquarters in terms of equipment and physical strength to ensure that they are all ready for deployment when need arises. This is a one day and one night field exercise, preceded with a foot march, and followed by bivouac where troops build temporary encampment prior to another foot march in going back to Camp Evangelista, MGen Visaya said. Close to 217 soldiers who joined the activity composed of a battalion-size organization. These

soldiers moved by foot in single file towards the hinter parts of barangay Bulua and Iponan both of Cagayan de Oro City then back to Camp Evangelista walking a total distance of 16 kilometers. This will end at 11:00 a.m. after the debriefing of the company commanders and platoon leaders. Then, criticking by the unit commanders involved will cap the exercise in order to improve the conduct of the activity. MGen reminded the soldiers to be in extra vigilant even if they are not in real combat operation. “Let us apply what we have learn during our basic soldiery training. This activity will make us feel how our fellow soldiers in the front line feel which will make us more sensitive to their needs as we do our role in supporting their subordinate units,” Mgen Visaya urged the soldiers.

by Recthie T. Paculba


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - To celebrate Women’s Month on March 2014, the Gender Advocates of Region 10 (GA-10) prepared various activities highlighting this year’s theme, “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong!”



Games and amusement cmte to study application for Bingo in CdeO by CIO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Council committee on games and amusement here will soon tackle the request of J & J Gamesman Bingo Haus for permission to operate a traditional bingo in the vicinity of Carmen Public Market.

According to Councilor Adrian Barba, chair of the committee, the Bingo Haus is a company existing and organized under the law. The Barangay Council of Carmen, thru a resolution interposed no objection to the application. The management said it would like to venture on the gaming industry not only as an entertainment to customers but as a source of living and income to unemployed Kagay-anons.

Headed by GA-10 President Rosa H. Lacanglacang, the advocates will hold a press conference on March 3 at the Philippine Information Agency-10 (PIA) office, Hataw and ecumenical service on March 4, logo making contest on March 10-14 and capacity building for Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) on March

31 and April 1. This year’s theme is aimed to pay tribute to the strong as well as resilient “Juanas” who are noted to have brought inspiring changes in the country and across the globe. It also highlights Juanas as the drivers of change who have untiringly volunteered in times of disaster, conflict and calamity.

Zambo rehab in full gearBy Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the rehabilitation efforts in the city are now in full swing.


Speaking to the media, Mayor Climaco-Salazar announced, “The Z3R (Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction) Plan is well on its way and that preparations for implementation are on full gear.” Climaco-Salazar said the Z3R team met last February 9 with the National Inter-Agency Council with Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and National Housing Authority General Manager Chito Cruz to expedite the rebuilding of infrastructure and shelters for the thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) “Sec. Singson has given the local government authority to enter into lease of property agreements to hasten the construction of temporary shelters or houses,” the lady chief executive said. According to Climaco-Salazar, there are now 4 transitory sites for the evacuees, while another one is due for completion on March 8 that will house 90 families. As for the budget for rehabilitation, Climaco-Salazar revealed that a total of P2.5-B was already downloaded to NHA for the

shelter and infra projects. “What is taking time is, the legal issues concerning the purchase of lots for temporary and permanent houses have to be resolved”, she said. As for the budget allocated for the rehabilitation efforts, Engr. Al Indanan of NHA said “Of the P2.5-B, approximately P800 million is allotted to DPWH for infra and road rehabilitation purposes. NHA has also allocated P49.83 M for home material assistance to 1,661 families. We hope to deliver on or before end of March.” NHA is also set to construct 1,157 two-story units and 1,189 duplex units worth P482.88 M, and 3,241 houses on stilt units worth P486.15 M. Indanan said the fund is already with NHA and that they will be submitting reports to the city government to make sure that they follow guidelines for securing proper permits and license necessary for the development of the housing and rehabilitation purposes. Mayor Climaco-Salazar assured the public that all resources of the government are properly mobilized.


DENR spearheads land title distributionBy Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – As part of the 13th Araw ng Sibugay celebration, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) distributed some 727 land titles during the Handog Titulo Program conducted Tuesday at Provincial Capitol Center Podium this municipality.

Regional Executive Director Arleigh G. Adorable personally handed the land titles to recipient-municipalities, namely, Tungawan with 73 land titles, Titay -102, Ipil – 76, Naga – 25, Siay – 22, Kabasalan – 8, R.T Lim – 20, Alicia – 110, Buug – 105, Payao- 8, Imelda – 58, Talusan – 15, Olutanga – 16, Mabuhay – 39, Malangas – 29 and Diplahan – 13.

Moises Butic, regional technical director for lands and Provincial Director Dante Oporto of DENR-Sibugay were also present in the event. The ‘Handog Titulo’ was one of the highlights of the 13th commemoration of the creation of Zamboanga Sibugay province, which was created in 2001.


DENR spearheads land title distribution

Mark Wallbank, a birder from the United Kingdom said that there are approximately 185 different species that are either migrants or residents, and this is a good reason why many birders want to personally visit the area. Wallbank is one of about a hundred local and international birders who are in the city from February 27 to March 1 for the 9th Philippine Bird Festival made possible by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT). “One reason why the birds migrate here is because the environment is so wonderful,” explained Wallbank to high school students who participated in the bird-watching trip. “The birds like Zamboanga so much,” quipped Wallbank. One specie known as the great and

little egrets, which are considerably large white birds have nested in good numbers in the area. “These birds are originally from China and have come here to mate, mainly because they like the weather and environment. The eggs will eventually hatch here,” Wallbank said. In one hour, the bird enthusiasts were delighted to spot and identify 20 different species. The Philippines has about 670 different species of birds. Zamboanga’s species make up about 28% of the total. Activities for the bird festival included a parade on February 27 leading to Paseo del Mar, and various bird-watching trips at the Intake Watershed, Bog Lake and Mount Baluno until March 1.

Zambo is hotspot for birding, says int’l bird expertBy Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Birders, or bird-watchers from all over the world are interested to visit Zamboanga because of the presence of a great variety of species here, said an international birding expert during a bird-watching trip at the Zamboanga City State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZCSCMST) fishpond in Rio Hondo.

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One Mindanao - February 28, 2014