ALIPAO MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE [ALMUCO] is already fourteen years of existence, which is a proof of great resiliency. The rise of ALMUCO is a hallmark of a successful peoples’ organization in the community when full support is being provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform. The watchful eyes of the DAR regional officials have gained a remarkable support from the national and foreign partners quickly emerged, putting ALMUCO in the limelight of the cooperative movement who would have thought that a lovely cooperative with only 21 members and a Capital Build Up of Five Thousand Pesos Only would be this big, today?

Cooperative remained but also struggled for survival. The coop on its way to bankruptcy. It was on June 1993 that DAR came into the scene by reorganizing and revitalizing the coop through the Farmers Cooperative Development Exchange Program [FCDEP] in partnership with MASS-SPECC. The Samahang Nayon Organization that has an existing capital of Php 16,000.00 merged with ALMUCO and the total paid up capital amounted to Php 21,000.00. It was quite an amount to start a modest consumers’ business in a barangay setting. The Department of Agrarian Reform did not stop giving technical assistance to the coop and its members. A series of trainings/seminars for capability building given to all members and officials were conducted to strengthen the coop’s viability. The following are the seminars:

1. Training on Basic Information and Communication Technology
2. Business Planning Workshop- 2006
3. Conduct of Information and Communication Technology II
4. Training on Farmers Trade School IPM-KASAKALIKASAN
5. Hands-on training on the use of ICT-Based materials for farmers, a convergence activity by Philrice, DAR-Development Academy of the Philippines, DOST, PCARRD/Local Government Unit-Alegria- September 2007
6. Cooperative Information System [CIS] training workshop- November 2007
7. Learning session on strengthening governance for e-AGRIkultura Center Operation & Management- April 2008
8. Local Study Mission, Davao City - April 29, 2008
9. One delegate for International Study Mission to India- September 11-17,2008

In the year 2000, the members quadrupled and the total CBU reached to Php 115,000.00. Thereon, there’s no turning back for ALMUCO. The coop has accessed funds from the Jose De Venecia [JDV] amounting to Php 40,000.00 which was added to the working capital for the consumers business. To date the consumer store has a gross income of Php 554,723.29. The coop was chosen as ARC-wide coop and they become recipient of the Agri-Support Project of DAR-ARISP II.

The package was Post Harvest Facilities amounting to 647,478.30 which was utilized for the construction of a 700 cavans capacity warehouse , a solar dryer and agri-development support funds for rice production, palay trading, farm inputs trading and swine raising amounting to Php 313,478.00.

The coop was able to generate a total of Php 39,000.00 from the operation of this business. ALMUCO does not only operate purely on business, but also service to its members, thus they agreed to be the partner institution of IFAD-NMCIREMP to handle the livelihood project, Self Help Group [SHGs].

They managed the Php 49,000.00 seed fund without gaining income just purely services. In 2004, The KALAHI Farmers center through K-Agrinet has a total income of Php 12,439.79.

The latest project is the e-AGRIkultura Center through information and knowledge networking. The beneficiaries of this are the following: Coop leaders and officers, Fisherfolk coop, Agribusiness owners and entrepreneurs and other net users. But being an awardee of the e-AGRIK Center did not just come like a gift. It was earned. Hard work on the part of the coop has paid off because they were not the only coop that was screened to qualify as beneficiary of said knowledge networking. There were other two coops. Series of tests were given, validations were conducted.

They passed the following tests: Technical feasibility, organizational management, financial sustainability and market potential. True enough, ALMUCO has proven that they stand out and lived up to the expectations of many and finally said e-AGRIKultura Center has been awarded to them with the following ICT Hardwares and softwares which are very much of help to the beneficiaries mentioned above:

*three desktop computers installed with XP, Microsoft Office and Norton anti-Virus 2005
*computer table and chair for each computer set
*one ink jet printer
*one web camera
*one scanner
*one digital camera
*one desktop photocopier
*one photocopying machine

And the said center offers the following services:
- encoding
- CD writing/burning
- Scanning
- Photocopying
- Video coverage for:
*wedding, birthday, graduation/closing exercises
- tutorial session for farmers

All those services are regularly patronized/availed of by the farmers and students and non farmers thereby, adding income to the cooperative. To date the operational income amounts to Php 12,439.79.

In 2007, the ALMUCO was awarded the MOST PROGRESSIVE COOPERATIVE in Surigao del Norte and in 2008 the MOST OUTSTANDING AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARY ORGANIZATION in CARAGA. These awards prove how ALMUCO, as an ordinary farmer’s cooperative has risen to the top and reached the standards of an outstanding cooperative.
To date the ALMUCO has 165 members. 83 of which are Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries [ARBs] , 37 non ARBs and 4 associates and with an asset of almost 2.5 Million and still counting!

Members are availing services for livelihood programs and are receiving dividends, patronage refunds and they are enjoying trainings relative to the improvement of the cooperative as well.

The officers and members of the cooperative however do not just attribute the success to themselves but to the Department of Agrarian Reform which initiated the coop and which have all the way supported the same through its programs, special projects and trainings and moral support. According to them: “Had it not been for the Department of Agrarian Reform, ALMUCO would not have been this successful.” (Melencio “Dodong” Migullas,Jr., DAR-Province of Surigao del Norte)

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Ang buhatan sa Provincial Tourism Office malampusong mipahigayon sa ilang 3-day Tourist Reception and Guiding Techniques Seminar/Workshop kagahapong adlawa, Abril 27, 2009, didto sa Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Conference Room sulod sa Capitol Compound.

Ang maong pagbansay-bansay, usa lamang sa mga daghan nga inisyatibo nga gipasiugdahan sa pangagamhanan sa probinsya ilawom sa liderato ni Gov. Robert Ace Barbers para sa kalamboan sa Surigao del Norte hilabi na sa natad sa turismo.

Gitinguha sa maong 3-day Tourist Reception and Guiding Tecniques seminar nga makahatag ug dugang kahibalo sa mga sakto ug tukma nga pamaagi sa tour guiding nga maoy basehan sa usa ka propesyunal, epektibo ug episyente nga tourist guide nga angayan gayud nga mokuyog ug mopresentar sa kaanyag sa atong mga tourist destinations dinhi sa probinsya.

Ang maong seminar gisalmutan sa 33 ka mga partisipante nga naggikan sa nagkalain-laing munisipyo ug mga tourism offices uban usab ang ilang mga guest speaker gikan sa Dept. of Tourism-Regional Office sama nila Ms. Mary Jean A. Camarin, ang DOT-Caraga Region, Senior Tourism Officer, Mr. Jhules M. Baril, Mr. Tryll G. Chiu u gang Prov”l. Tourism Culture & Office Project Dev. Officer I, Mr. Jun M. Ramirez.

Daghan ang nakadayeg ug nalipay sa maong kalihukan tungod nakahatag gayud kini ug dakong tabang ngadto sa tanang mga interesado niini hilabi na nga ang atong probinsya puno sa mga eco-tourism spots nga angay gayud ipasigarbo dili lamang sa nasud sa Pilipinas kung dili pati na usab sa tibuok kalibutan.

Gipanghinaut usab ni Gob. Ace nga ang tanang Surigaonon mohatag usab ug hugot ug dakong suporta niini pinaagi na sa pagbaton sa kalimpyo sa palibot ug ang pagprotiher sa atong mga kinaiyahan aron kining tanan mapahimuslan pa sa mga umaabot nga mga henerasyon. (SdN PGO-Media Bureau)
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Kongresista Lalo Matugas nakadawat na usab ug hinabang sa kantidad nga 5 milyon ka pesos gikan ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo atol sa iyang pagbisita dinhi sa Surigao city niadtong April 15 ning tuiga.

Dako nga pasalamat sa kongresista sa distrito uno gumikan sa iyang nadawat nga kantidad gikan sa Presidente. Samtang naglawig ang RORO OCEAN KING II padayon ang interview sa mga Media pinaagi sa paghisgot sa kalamboan sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte ug mga kasikbit na probinsya. Human sa gipahigayon nga interview sa mga Media ngadto sa Presidente. Iyang gitawag si kongresista Lalo Matugas kay tungod usa lamang siya sa kongresista nga mikuyog sa maong biyahe gikan sa Surigao City Port paingon ngadto sa San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. Sa dihang nagka-istorya si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ug Kongresista Lalo Matugas gipangutana sa Presidente ang kongresista kung unsay iyang maihatag nga tabang sa distrito uno isla sa Siargao ug kini gitubag sa kongresista usa sa problima sa isla sa Siargao ang tambal para sa katawhan hilabina sa mga kabus.

Si PGMA nagmando gilayon sa iyang assistant nga hatagan si Kongresista Lalo Matugas ug 5 milyon ka pesos para sa tambal. Malipayon ang kongresista ug iyang gipasalamatan ang Presidente gumikan kay wala niya damha nga sa iyang pagkuyog makakuha siya sa maong kantidad.

Ang maong pondo inisyatibo sa kongresista para sa katawhan sa isla kay iyang nakita nga daghan ang mga pasyente ang anaa sa kalisod ug dili makapalit sa mga tambal. (Ed Mapayo, Surigao Balita)

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Stockholders of Philex Mining Corp. have approved the plan to increase the company’s authorized capital to P8 billion from P5 billion as it prepares to develop its high-grade copper and gold mine in Surigao del Norte.

Based on company estimates, it needs as much as $500 million to develop the Boyongan copper-gold project in Surigao del Norte.

Philex president Walter Brown said the company was able to get the votes needed to push through with the planned increase in capital stock only after “great difficulty.”

“[In the end], there was a meeting of the minds. All stockholders agreed that it’s in the best interest of the company to vote for it,” said Brown, who earlier noted “unusual difficulty” in getting proxies for the special stockholders’ meeting.

“We’re going to be developing our Surigao property so we may need additional money. We don’t know how buoyant the market will be. If the prices go up, we may be able to fund it on our own. But if we need additional investment, then we’ll be able to issue new shares,” Brown said.

Philex assumed full control of the 5,184-hectare mine after acquiring 50-percent equity from Anglo American Exploration.

“We want to be able to do it if we need to. We really don’t need to at the moment, but we need flexibility,” he said.

Brown also said that if Philex would issue new shares, the shares would be issued proportionately to all shareholders.

In the past, the company had asked for a waiver of preemptive rights from existing stockholders but this was opposed by the state-owned Social Security System.

As such, if the group of Manuel V. Pangilinan wanted to buy additional shares, he said he could do that by buying from the open market.

“We won’t issue shares unless we need the cash,” he said.

To date, he said Philex was still sitting on a lot of cash. The cash hoard is estimated at about P10 billion as of end-2008.

Philex to date has 3.88 billion in outstanding shares and a market capitalization of P22.9 billion based on yesterday’s closing price of P5.80 a share. (inquirer.net)
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Manila Mining Corp. is moving fast to reopen its Placer gold project in Surigao del Norte to take advantage of the increasing prices of the precious metal.

“We are confident that we are getting closer to our goal of reopening the Placer mine,” said Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. chair Felipe U. Yap, who is also chair and CEO of Manila Mining Co.

Manila Mining has completed an exploration program that involved intensive drilling at Placer, where the company had mined close to a million ounces of gold before it was closed eight years ago.

“We now need to convert our resource estimate into (an estimate of) reserves through a study,” Yap said. After that comes the feasibility study.

“These two (studies) together will take about six months, or until just before the end of the year,” Yap said.

He said there would then be a so-called stress test, which gauges the viability of mining the reserve. Yap said it was not yet known how much the studies will cost.

“If the cost of mining the gold would be, say, $500 to $550 an ounce, then anything above that is profit. Now if the price of gold goes below that then we cannot operate because it will be at a loss,” Yap said.

Development will be done in 12 to 18 months.

“Maybe we can reopen around the end of 2010,” Yap said. “I am bullish about gold. Its price, I think, could reach about $850 to $1,200 an ounce,” he said.

Manila Mining suspended operations at Placer in 2001 following the effects of a landslip in the main Heine open pit.

“We also have the Kalayaan mine but we are in a wait-and-see mode because it is in a contiguous area as the mine of Philex (Mining Corp.),” Yap said.

The company drilled 20 holes in 2007 and another 51 holes in 2008. Manila Mining said the 2007 drill holes were positioned to test the continuity of the Placer Mine mineralization into the Kalayaan Corridor copper and gold mineral zone.

Exploration drilling was also independently undertaken by Anglo American Philippines (Kalayaan) Holdings BV in the Kalayaan area, which was the subject of its joint venture with Manila Mining.

Anglo American has exercised its option to terminate the farm-in agreement dated March 2007 for the exploration and potential development of the 286.6-hectare Kalayaan project.

During the joint venture, Anglo American spent $10.82 million for drilling and community projects and the initial entry cost paid to Manila Mining, the local company said.

“There is no other way to move forward on Kalayaan but to have a joint venture or to sell, but nobody is moving right now. We don’t expect any party to go through the trouble because of the market. So our focus will be on Placer because we can readily operate it,” Yap said.

Manila Mining posted a net loss of P132 million in 2008 from a P277-million profit in 2007. (inquirer.net)
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Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific Air, Inc.is offering a seat sale from all of its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao until Thursday for June, July, & August travel, vice-president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

“We are positive that this seat sale will stimulate domestic and international travel during these traditionally lean months. This should support the growth of the tourism industry and help the country keep up with these challenging economic times," she said.

Cebu Pacific is offering a P599 one-way "Go Lite" fare for its Manila-Kota Kinabalu and Manila-Taipei services. This is also extended to services from Clark to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore.

It is also offering a one-way P1,099 "Go Lite" fare for its Manila-Hong Kong, and Manila-Macau services. One-way "Go Lite" fares for flights from Manila to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, and Singapore are sold at P1,599.

One-way "Go Lite" fares for CEB services from Manila to Shanghai, Jakarta, Guangzhou; Cebu-Hong Kong, and Cebu-Singapore are sold at P2,299. The P2,799 one-way "Go Lite" fare is available for flights to Kuala Lumpur, Incheon and Busan (Korea).

Cebu Pacific's one-way promo fare to Osaka, Japan is sold at P2,999.

For domestic flights, Cebu Pacific offers a P249 one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare for flights from Manila to Busuanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Laoag, Legaspi, Naga, and San Jose. One-way "Go Lite" fares for Manila-Bacolod, Manila-Dumaguete, and other Visayas destinations at P449.

One-way "Go Lite" fares from Manila to Mindanao destinations are sold at P1,349 except for Manila to Davao priced at P1,149.

Domestic fares are all-inclusive; international fares are exclusive of government taxes. Promo fares are non-refundable.

"Go Lite" fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Passengers with check-in bags just have to add P200 to the fare.
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Top Philippine miner Philex Mining Corp (PX.PS) said on Wednesday it may need $500 million to develop and operate a gold and copper project in the southern Mindanao island

The company told Manila's stock exchange it expects to complete a pre-feasibility study on the Boyongan project by the end of 2009, after which it would advance to a definitive feasibility study for a firmer estimate of the capital cost.

In September, Philex bought out partner Anglo American Plc (AAL.L) in the Boyongan gold and copper project in Surigao del Norte province for $55 million.

The Boyongan lode is one of the government's priority mining projects, with an estimated ore reserve of 300 million tonnes at 0.6 percent copper and 1 gram per tonne of gold, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. (Reported by Manolo Serapio Jr.; Editing by Lincoln Feast, reuters)
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) is set to strengthen the education and literacy programs of youths and adults as the number of Filipino illiterates reached 5.2 million, and dropout rates stood at 6 percent in elementary and 7.5 percent in high school.

“We are now at [a] dead end in education,” Education Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing said.

“With these crises, the government should be compelled to implement without delay and strengthen education and literacy programs for youth and adults,” he added.

Boransing delivered the welcome message at the Forum on Youth and Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning held at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.

He said the rising dropout rate would inevitably take its toll on the Philippine economy, especially amid the global financial meltdown.

DepEd data showed that schoolyear (SY) 2004-2005’s dropout rates of 6.98 percent in the elementary and 7.99 percent in secondary level rose to 7.33 percent and 12.51 percent, respectively, by SY 2006-2007.

Although these figures went down in SY 2007-2008 to 6 percent (2.2 million children aged six to 12) and 7.5 percent (3.4 million aged 12-15 years), the numbers are still high, he said.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the department has initiated several interventions such as the launching of Project Reach last year, to enable out-of-school children and youths to go back to school through collaborative work between school and village officials, and help from the private sector.

Earlier, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) report listed the Philippines among countries that deprive children of basic literacy and numeracy skills with its failure to address inequalities in education.

The Unesco 2009 report said the Philippines also lags behind in achieving universal primary education as part of its commitment to the Education For All (EFA) goals which the country signed in 2000.

Unesco said Filipino children in the poorest 20 percent of the population receive five years less education than children from the wealthiest families. On the average, the poorest 20 percent get 6.3 years of education compared to the 11 years of the rich20 percent.

A literacy mapping of fifth- and sixth-class towns by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also showed the presence or impact of government’s literacy programs are not felt in the bottom 30 barangays.

DILG assistant division chief Virginia Ferrer said literacy programs are currently not among the priorities of some local government units (LGUs), and the most economically backward areas have the highest number of illiterates.

She said the situation might worsen if government, particularly the LGUs, will not intervene.

The DILG said the bottom 30 barangays with the lowest literacy rates are in Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, La Union, Batanes, Isabela, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte.

The bottom 3 barangays with the lowest literacy rates were Matampa (30.4 percent), Alipuaton (32.9 percent) and Bunal (44.8 percent) in Salay, Misamis Oriental.

The study showed the most common reasons why LGUs do not initiate literacy projects for its needy constituents are: they believe this is the responsibility of DepEd; they have no funds; nobody cares; no official in the fifth- or sixth-class towns has requested for them; and they are not the priority of LGUs.

Ferrer urged Congress to pass a law mandating municipal governments and other LGUs to set aside a percentage of their Internal Revenue Allocations for literacy projects that should be made part of the annual municipal development plans. (Business Mirror)
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News from the Department of Education is dismal.

Some 5.2 million Filipinos are illiterate, with the country’s school dropout rate among the highest in Asia, even higher than Indonesia and Vietnam.

“We are now at the dead end of education,” Education Undersecretary Manaros Boransing said Tuesday in his message welcoming the delegates to the Forum on Youth and Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning held at the department headquarters in Pasig City.

Boransing said the Philippines has continuously failed to meet its goals on higher literacy despite Constitutional provision on free and compulsory education. The country now has more than 5.2 million illiterates, and its rate of school dropouts has gone up to an alarming level.

He said the dropout rate in the country is now among the highest in Asia, even higher than Indonesia and Vietnam.

He said the ever-rising dropout rate would inevitably take its toll on the Philippine economy especially amid the financial crunch in the country and global market, the official added.

“With these crises, the government should be compelled to implement without delay and strengthen education and literacy programs for youth and adults,” he added.

Little impact

Meanwhile, a literacy mapping of fifth and sixth class municipalities conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) proved the general sentiment that the government’s literacy programs have little impact on some areas.

“There were a number of villages in the bottom 30 where the literacy services of the government agencies had not been felt,” said the department’s assistant division chief, Virginia Ferer.

Ferer added that the country’s literacy programs are currently not among the priorities of some local governments, adding that the fifth and sixth class municipalities, the country’s most economically backward areas, have the highest number of illiterates.

Ferer stressed that the condition may continue to worsen if the government, particularly the local governments in these municipalities, would continue to ignore the problem.

The bottom 30 villages with lowest literacy rates are in the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, La Union, Batanes, Isabela, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte.

The bottom three villages with the lowest literacy rate are Matampa (30.4 percent), Alipuaton (32.9 percent) and Bunal (44.8 percent) in Salay, Misamis Oriental.

The literacy mapping showed that the local governments have not initiated literacy projects because they lack funding and interested parties who would help push the projects. Also, the local governments are leaving the responsibility of initiating literacy projects to the Education department or its teachers. Moreover, no resolution within the fifth and sixth class municipalities has been made to pursue such projects.

Ferer then offered the literacy mapping as “a useful tool for all the LGUs [local government units] in formulation of policies that will push further the decentralization of literacy programs and projects.”

She added that the results of the project “can guide NGOs [non-government organizations] in prioritizing the village beneficiaries of their literacy project.”

Ferer has also urged Congress to pass a law mandating municipal governments and other local governments to allot a percentage of their Internal Revenue Allocation for literacy projects.

“As a policy decision, literacy programs and projects should be included in the annual municipal development plans,” she said. (Manila Times)
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LISTED MANILA Mining Corp. will wait for economic conditions to rebound before moving forward with its gold and copper mine in Surigao del Norte, the head of the company said yesterday.

"[The Kalayaan mine] is on hold and so far we have not done anything at the moment," Felipe U. Yap, chairman and chief executive officer of Manila Mining, told reporters.

In November last year, Anglo American Philippines Holdings B.V. terminated a partnership with the miner in exploring the Kalayaan claim due to resistance from the local government and residents.

Under a 2007 agreement, the local unit of Australian miner Anglo American Plc., was to spend for the exploration of the 286.6-hectare property.

Anglo American already spent $10.82 million to drill 11 holes in 18 months.

Anglo had also withdrawn from the adjacent Boyongan gold and copper mine of Philex Mining Corp., claiming it was not bankable.

Philex wants to start commercial operations at Boyongan by 2014 to extend the company’s operations by up to 20 more years after its Padcal mine in Benguet gets exhausted.

Mr. Yap said that if Philex wants to acquire Kalayaan, "we are open [to negotiations]... our style is simple, we either we become partner or sell the mine."

Manila Mining is seeking to renew its environmental permit, which expired early this year.

The mining firm cut its net losses last year by more than half to P132.037 million from P276.979 million in 2007. (Business World)
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Collaborative efforts by public and private stakeholders to ensure
sustainable and self-reliant mining communities will be highlighted at the 5th Caraga Mining Summit, to be held here on April 23-24 at the Hotel Tavern Convention Hall.

The event is organized by the Caraga Chamber of Mines in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) and Community Relations Education and Development Officers (CREDO), a Caraga-based organization.

The summit, which will open with a keynote address by Philippine Chamber of Mines president Benjamin Philip Romualdez, will focus on issues raised at a series of broad-based consultations on the mining industry held earlier in Mindanao.

Plenary sessions will be held on mining-related local revenue and taxation, as well as business permits and licenses, with an emphasis on getting additional funds, more quickly, to communities “hosting” mining operations.

Sessions will also focus on best practices in environmental management and corporate social responsibility.

Commissioner Felicito Masagnay of the National Commission on Indigenous People will give a presentation on how Berong Nickel Corporation , a Palawan-based company, partnered with indigenous communities in pursuing responsible mining and sustainable development.

There will be discussions on the implementation of Social Development and Management Programs (SDMPs) by Caraga local government units and the mining firms operating within their jurisdiction.

The SDMP is a mechanism created in accordance with the 1995 Mining Act, to provide “community development assistance” using funds collected through a levy on mining companies’ reported direct mining and milling costs.

Last month, in response to multisectoral recommendations presented at the consultative mining forum held in Davao City in September 2008, the Department of Finance, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Budget and Management released a joint circular on timelines designed to expedite the processing and release of the funds to local governments for implementing SDMPs.

At next week’s Summit, participants will review laws, regulations and programs pertaining to the mining industry, and propose ways to improve and harmonize their implementation. A summary of recommendations will be presented to DENR Secretary Jose Atienza at the closing.

The Caraga region is the largest exporter of minerals in Mindanao, with Japan, China and Australia as its main foreign markets. -Caraga Chamber of Mines
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The Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.) has released a total P 176.8 million in loans to rural micro enterprises in 10 of the country’s poorest provinces. Of this total P118.4 million was funded under the Rural Micro-Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEPP).

RuMEPP, a seven-year program with $18.53 million funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to increase economic development and reduce poverty in the rural areas through improved job generation. It has three component: microfinance credit and support, micro enterprise promotion and development, and program and policy coordination.

The program targets micro-enterprises situated in 19 provinces of the country’s five poorest regions namely Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN and CARAGA.

Among the target regions, CARAGA Region in Mindanao particularly the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur received 76.8 percent or P83.85 million of the total loan releases. Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes were able to access P3.8 million. While Leyte, Biliran and Northern Samar received P19.3 million.

These microfinance loans were dispensed through six microfinance institution (MFI) in Mindanao, three in Visayas and four in Luzon. Beneficiaries of the loan are rural enterprises engaged in trading, handicraft, food processing, transportation and services.

RuMEPP is a program of the Department of Trade and Industry designed to stimulate the development of micro-enterprises through combined financial and technical assistance from the Small Business Corp. (SBC) for loans, DTI-Regional/Provincial Offices for technical assistance and market matching activities, Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC) for technical assistance, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) for market promotion, Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) for product development, Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) for training and seminars, and Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development for the integrated program to assist the enterprises. (philstar)
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PUBLICLY LISTED Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. is expecting P150 million in profits this year given higher gold production, the head of the mining company said yesterday.

The expected profit from producing 45,000 ounces of gold in its Teresa and Victoria mines in Benguet will reverse the company’s combined P969 million in net losses for the past two years, Lepanto President and Chief Operating Officer Bryan U. Yap said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting.

The Victoria and Teresa mines , which have a combined area of 2,777 hectares, have estimated ore reserves of 0.39 million ounces of gold and 16.97 million pounds of copper.

Lepanto hiked its copper output last year to 3.544 million pounds from 246,386 pounds in 2007 but copper prices dropped to $1.32 per pound in December from $3.98 per pound in June. But gold prices averaged $871.96 per ounce last year from $697.71 per ounce in 2007.

"On the copper side, we do not think we are going to resume copper [operations] within the year. We will be evaluating it and if the copper price improves again ... then we will start looking at it," Mr. Yap told reporters.

Meanwhile, listed miners Atok Big Wedge Co., Inc., Manila Mining Corp. and Geograce Resources Phils., Inc. continued incurring losses last year amid exploration activities.

Atok Big Wedge said its net loss narrowed a bit to P5.362 million from P5.460 million year on year. Losses per share remained at P0.21.

Geograce posted a P95.84-million net loss, down from P102.36 million in 2007 while Manila Mining cut its net losses by more than half last year to P132.037 million from P276.979 million in 2007, but bigger than P112.679 million in 2006.

Manila Mining, which owns a 4,844-hectare copper and gold mine in Placer, Surigao del Norte, plans to continue exploration this year. — N.J.C. Morales
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The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a change in the operations of Wellex Industries from a holding company engaged in manufacturing into a mining and oil exploration firm.

Wellex Industries is a listed company owned by businessman William Gatchalian.

Wellex will now engage in projects in the mining and oil sector with property development as its secondary purpose.

The company early this year announced plans to shift focus to mining following the recent surge in mineral prices in the world market.

Wellex president Weslie Gatchalian earlier said the company was currently looking at the Caraga region, which comprises Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, for its mining venture and Mindoro and Palawan islands for oil exploration.

The company is mainly interested in the production of nickel, chromite, gold and copper. Prices of these metals have risen sharply because of strong demand from China.

Wellex is looking at acquiring mine sites covered by exploration permits and a mineral production sharing agreement with the government.

Wellex is also interested in forming a joint venture with local and foreign companies.

Wellex was originally incorporated on Oct. 19, 1956 as Republic Resources and Development Corp. to engage in the business of mining and oil exploration.

But due to difficulties experienced by the oil and mining industries, the company invited The Wellex Group Inc. in 1994.

The company subsequently transformed itself into a holding company for manufacturing concerns and changed its name to Wellex Industries Inc. on Sept. 18, 1997.

The company’s two subsidiaries, Plastic City Industrial Corp. and Philfoods Asia Inc., have temporarily ceased their manufacturing and commercial operations due to continued losses.

Plastic Property’s 30-hectare property in Valenzuela City is now site of the company’s warehousing operations. (Manila Standard)
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With President Gloria Macapagal Arroyos’ inauguration of the Benit RORO Port, the hinterland town of San Ricardo will metamorphose from being a sleepy town at the extreme southern part of Panaon Island, to a town bustling with economic activities.

“You see, even the President is smiling,” an elderly official said. “That is a good sign that this facility will bring in many economic activities,” he added.

Looking at the Ocean King II vessel approaching the port, a beautiful poster-like vision is seen.

A happy and smiling President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo waved at the big crown waiting for her at the Benit Port at San Ricardo, Southern Leyte on Wednesday, April 15.

After the 500 passengers led by President Arroyo, followed by several cabinet secretaries and dignitaries, alighted and smilingly acknowledged greeting from well wishers, a big Bachelor Tours Bus was rolled in from the ocean vessel.

San Ricardo which has a population of about 10,000 people is a fifth class municipality. With the opening of the RORO Port, the local government officials are optimistic that many economic activities will result.

With the opening of the Roro Port, people of San Ricardo and Southern Leyte will be able to bring their produce to Mindanao via Surigao City and the merchants from Surigao will be able to bring their wares to Southern Leyte via San Ricardo.

After the President entered the terminal building, an local old lady was overheard exclaiming how happy she was to see in person President Arroyo, “but I will wait for her departure because I would like to shake her hand.”

The same comments were heard during lunch. A provincial official was saying excitedly
that the President “is more cute in person, but I will seat near the aisle so that I could shake her hands when she goes out.”

The President’s coming is a special and historical event to this hinterland town.

As gathered from the reactions of the local people, the President’s visit is a magic that inspires the people to work harder and really thank the President for her countless support to the municipality and its people.

As the President and other guests took a bus-ride to Liloan Port, people, young and old eagerly lined up in the streets to get a glimpse of the President.

The primitive name of San Ricardo, Southern Leyte was “Inulinan “, which is the local term for the stern of rear part of a boat, as the town is located at the extreme southern part of Panaon Island which resembles a boat.

It was established in 1865 with Pintuyan as the Poblacion.

San Ricardo replaced Inulilan after the name of the first Capitancillo.

In a report of Radyo ng Bayan, the creation of the new Strong Republic Nautical Highway reduces travel time.

Before, travelers in Surigao City who are bound for Leyte will have to endure a four hour trip to Lilo-an.

With the RORO ports set up in San Ricardo, the trip has been reduced to one and half hours. (PIA -8)

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Responding to the clamor by residents here for the expeditious completion of the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road project, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. today pledged his agency and all the contractors involved in the project would work "24/7" to complete it as soon as possible.

Ebdane made the pledge to the people of Mindanao and to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself whom he joined in a regional 2-on-1 media interview on board a roll-on roll-off vessel bound for San Ricardo port in Southern Leyte from the Verano port here this morning.

In answer to a question fielded by a reporter from Surigao who asked for the estimated completion time of the Surigao-Davao coastal road project which importance the President stressed, Ebdane said they will complete the project before yearend.

"So far, out of the 300-plus kilometers (of the Surigao-Davao road project) from Surigao City to the boundary of Davao Oriental, we have been working to cement 109-kilometers and we have already accomplished 39-kilometers. We hope to complete (the remainder) by December (2009)," Ebdane said.

"But you're supposed to be working 24/7," the President interjected to which Ebdane answered; "Yes Ma'am. We will comply."

The Davao-Surigao coastal-road project is one of the major road-network projects President Arroyo has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complete as part of her legacy to the Filipino people.

The different sections of the eastern Mindanao road network are in various stages of completion, with the southernmost section, the Mati-Manay stretch in Davao Oriental, already completed last year.

Work on the southernmost portion of the seven-section road network covering 66.85 kilometers was started in October 2004 and was finished last September. Work on the other six sections were started in 2007.

The adjacent Boston-Manay section in northern Davao Oriental, covering 83.89 kilometers, is 52.54 percent completed. The Bislig--Boston section covering 72.39 kilometers, is now 61.1 complete while the 89.06-kilometer Marihatag-Hinatuan-Bislig section that is now 51.16% complete.

The Cortes-Tandag-Marihatag section, also in Surigao del Sur, covering 75 kilometers is 31.22-percent. The Adlay-Bon-ot section in Surigao del Norte was bidded out in June last year but contractor, until recently, was still awaiting the release of funds to start construction.

The last section, the 40-kilometer Bacuag-Claver section, is already 60.42-percent complete.

Ebdane said he will make sure the road project is completed by December this year.
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the eastern seaboard portion of her Strong Republic National Highway (SRNH) in festive ceremonies held this morning at the Verano Port here.

Joining the President in the historic occasion were Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Thompson Lantion, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Alberto Suansing and local executives of the province led by Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Cassura.

The President and her entourage arrived here on board the Presidential yacht BRP Pag-asa at around 9:50 a.m. amid loud drumbeats, dancing and cheers from the residents and constituents of the province who came to welcome the Chief Executive.

Upon her arrival, the President was briefed by Mendoza on the salient features of the newly-upgraded Verano port after which she unveiled the project’s marker to signal the formal opening of the port to commercial and public operations.

The "enhanced leg" of the oldest roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) route comprises 919 kilometers of land route and 137 nautical miles of the SRNH Eastern Seaboard trunkline.

The decision to launch a new alternate route in the Eastern Seaboard route was made during the President’s Cabinet meeting in May last year on board a Ro-Ro vessel from Jagna Port in Bohol to Mambajao in Camiguin, which forms part of the SRNH Central Seaboard trunkline.

The new Eastern Seaboard route starts from Pilar, Sorsogon and runs through Masbate City and Esperanza town in Masbate, traverses Naval and Maripipi towns in Biliran province, San Ricardo in Southern Leyte and ends in Lipata, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.

The old route, which forms part of the Maharlika Highway, also known as the Pan-Pacific National Highway, was constructed during the time of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

The oldest Ro-Ro highway, the Maharlika was the first highway that connected Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This portion of the Ro-Ro highway starts from Matnog in Sorsogon, passes through Allen and Dapdap in Northern Samar, Liloan in Leyte and Lipata in Surigao.

The Maharlika Highway link is expected to be further enhanced with the launching of the new Eastern Nautical Highway. The linkup of the two highway systems is expected to further spur trade and commerce between and among the islands not covered by the old Maharlika Highway.

With this new Ro-Ro facility, shipments to and from the province are no longer off-loaded for re-transporting, thereby reducing cargo-handling time and stevedoring costs and, consequently, ensuring better quality and lower prices of goods.

The SRNH eastern seaboard portion joins two other operational SRNH routes: the Western and Central routes.

The SRNH western seaboard portion, which was launched in March 2003, starts from Batangas down to Zamboanga del Norte.

The sea linkages of the first Ro-Ro route include Batangas, Calapan and Roxas in Oriental Mindoro, Caticlan in Aklan, Iloilo to Bacolod and Dumaguete and finally Dapitan.

The Central, or the second Ro-Ro route which was lauched three months after the first one in June 2003, covers the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete and Manila.

This "long-haul" route begins with separate land segments from Davao, a leading fruit producer; General Santos, which is noted for its corn and tuna products, and passes through Bukidnon, the livestock and salad bowl of Mindanao.

The 30-hour sea voyage starts from Cagayan de Oro City thence to the Visayas through Dumaguete and continues on to Southern Luzon and Bicol through Batangas City and finally ends in the port of Manila.
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate on Wednesday (April 15, 2009) the enhanced leg of the oldest roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) route of the 919-kilometer land and 137-nautical mile (sea) Strong Republic National Highway (SRNH) Eastern Seaboard trunkline.

The President will also inaugurate other ports and road components connecting the SRNH Eastern Seaboard line.

The decision to launch a new alternate route of the Eastern Seaboard route was made during the President’s Cabinet meeting in May last year on board a Ro-Ro vessel from Jagna Port in Bohol to Mambajao in Camiguin, which forms part of the ARNH Central Seaboard trunkline.

The new Eastern Seaboard route starts from Pilar, Sorsogon and runs through Masbate City and Esperanza town in Masbate, then traverses Naval and Maripipi towns both in Biliran, San Ricardo in Southern Leyte and finally ends in Lipata, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.

The old route which forms part of the Maharlika Highway, also known as the Pan-Pacific National Highway, was constructed during the time of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

It is the oldest among the Ro-Ro highways that first connected Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao. It starts from Matnog in Sorsogon and passes through Allen and Dapdap in Northern Samar, Liloan in Leyte and Lipata in Surigao.

The Maharlika Highway link is expected to be further enhanced with the launch of the new Eastern Nautical Highway as it will further spur trade and commerce between and among the islands not covered by the old Maharlika Highway.

To kick-off the SRNH’s new Eastern Seaboard trunk, the President will board on Wednesday a Ro-Ro ferry at the Lipata Port in Surigao City (Surigao del Norte) to San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. The sea trip will take about two hours.

While on board the Ro-Ro vessel, the regional two-on-one media interview with the President will take place. The theme of the interview is “Infrastructure Projects in Full Swing.”

Upon arrival at the San Ricardo Ro-Ro Port in Barangay Benit, the President will inaugurate the P420-million San Ricardo Ro-Ro Port Development Project. She will then take the inaugural drive-through of the port road link from San Ricardo to Liloan.

The President and the Ro-Ro caravan will then motor to Tacloban City via the Sogo-Mahaplag-Abuyog Road and will pass by the ongoing construction of the P870-million Agas-Agas Viaduct Project in Sogod, Southern Leyte.

Pier 1 of the viaduct or bridge is nearing completion. It is about 70 meters in height with 17 leaps, each leap measuring 4.5 meters high. The second pier of the bridge is 50 percent complete.

The Ro-Ro caravan will then proceed to the Leyte Provincial Capitol front road inauguration.

On Thursday, the President will inaugurate the newly-completed Naval Port Development Project in Biliran Province. The P9.9-million Naval Port Development Project includes a Ro-Ro ramp and a new passenger terminal building.

The Chief Executive will then send off the Ro-Ro vessel for the two-hour trip to Masbate. She said the SRNH further enhances public access to various tourism areas throughout the country and offers an alternate and cheaper route for transporting goods from Mindanao to Luzon.

The Ro-Ro network is also expected to create new markets and enhance inter-island trade between Northern and Southern Philippines.

The SRNH expansion will likewise stimulate the entry of commodities to erstwhile isolated areas, consistent with the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's efforts to provide a stable supply of food at affordable prices to all Filipinos.

More important yet, the expansion of the SRNH would provide farmers and fisherfolk added route to market their products more efficiently, thus helping energize and enrich the countryside.

The SRNH has three main trunklines -- the western seaboard route, the central seaboard route and the eastern seaboard route.

President Arroyo envisioned the SRNH to inter-connect the archipelago’s islands and spur economic development from Metro Manila to the countryside. (PNA)
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Just back from her successful job-hunting trip to Dubai, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to traverse the Philippine archipelago once again for two days starting Wednesday (April 15) to launch the Eastern Seaboard Route of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).

The President will check on the roll-on, roll-off (RORO) operations in three ports, starting in Mindanao where she will be inaugurating the Surigao City RORO Port Expansion Project.

After the project briefing, President Arroyo shall board a RORO vessel bound for San Ricardo Port in Liloan, Southern Leyte in the Visayas.

With the media delegation on board during the two-hour sea travel, the President shall be interviewed on the government’s job-providing infrastructure projects which are now in full swing.

Expected to arrive by noon at the San Ricardo Port which she will also inaugurate, the President will unveil the marker of the San Ricardo Port Development Project.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza shall brief the President on the project.

As she has been doing in her provincial visits, the President will listen to the local folks about their situation and the benefits that the government’s latest infrastructure project has brought to their community.

After lunch, the President will travel by land to Tacloban City, leading the inaugural drive-through of the road link – the Sogod-Mahaplag-Abuyog Road – aside from inspecting the Agas-Agas Viaduct Project.

By 5:30 p.m., the President shall have reached Leyte’s provincial capitol which will be bedecked in a summer fiesta atmosphere for the inauguration rites for various projects.

The following morning, Thursday (April 16), the President shall head for the Naval Port in Biliran province, also in Leyte island, to inaugurate and unveil the marker for the newly-completed Naval Port Development Project and the Passengers Terminal Building. (PNA)
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Speaker Prospero Nograles and Camarines Sur Representative Luis Villafuerte resigned on Monday as presidents of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi, Partner of the Free Filipino), respectively, to fast-track the merger the two administration parties.

The two announced their simultaneous resignations at a press conference Monday afternoon.

“In order to fast-track [the] process of [the] merger and give [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] a free hand in determining the appropriate leadership structure for the prospective consolidated party, we both hereby announce our respective resignation[s] as presidents of Lakas and Kampi.

“The reason why we both resigned as respective presidents of our parties is that we want to give [a] free hand to the President to thresh out whatever remaining kinks [to the merger process and] to ensure that [the] merger will be achieved within [a] reasonable time.”

They said the merger, which is being forged in the hopes of fielding a unified slate in the 2010 elections, is expected to be completed in 45 days.

Villafuerte also said Lakas and Kampi are in full electoral mode.

Nograles said a national consolidation and unification committee has also been formed to address “all requisite issues pertaining to the merger, including the activation of an equitable process of arbitration to settle intra-coalition disputes at the local level.”

The committee will be headed by presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio.

It will be composed of Lakas and Kampi members namely Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos (Lakas) and Manila Representative Amado Bagatsing (Kampi) for the National Capital Region; Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello (Lakas) and Sorsogon Representative Jose Solis (Kampi) for Luzon; Majority Leader Arthur Defensor (Lakas) and Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia (Kampi) for the Visayas; and Local Water Utilities Administrator Prospero Pichay (Lakas) and Surigao del Norte Representative Francisco Matugas (Kampi) for Mindanao.

Asked why the parties are giving Arroyo a direct hand in the merger, Villafuerte said that, as the chair of the two parties, she would have a “more persuasive effect” on members.

Nograles added that the “success or failure” of the two political parties lies with Arroyo. “The buck stops [with] her.”

Villafuerte added: “The reason why we both resigned as respective president of our parties is that we want to give free hand to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to thresh out whatever remaining kinks there are to ensure that the parameters and point of references of a consolidation or a merger will be achieved within reasonable time.”

“Recognizing that while there may be local conflicts, I think we will strive to decide definitely clearly and categorically that we will have single candidates in each and every local jurisdiction, congressional candidates will have to be selected in anticipation of 2010 polls and the only way to do so is to give a vote of confidence a free hand to the President in order that the process that we will have to hold will be done smoothly and both of us will have to be unburdened of continuing to defend our respective positions in favor of whatever compromises maybe arranged,” he explained.

Villafuerte said despite the merger, the two parties would continue to coalesce with other parties such as the Nationalist People’s Coalition of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

He also said the merger does not mean candidates, including possible presidential bets, would come only from Lakas or Kampi. (inquirer.net)
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Department of Transportation and Communication Undersecretary Thompson Lantion accompanied by high ranking government officials was in Surigao City over the weekend to make an assessment of the completion of some infrastructure projects tentatively scheduled for inauguration on April 16 by no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Verano Port extension project located at the left wing of the main pier area, with 120 meters long by 24 meters wide, will be the first on the list to be inaugurated by the President. The completion of the extension project provides facilities to accommodate bigger passenger and cargo vessels plying the Manila-Surigao route. Including foreign and inter-island boats scheduled to shipside in Surigao City.

The Philippine Ports Authority implemented the expansion of the Verano Port in Surigao City, because of the flourishing mining industry in the province of Surigao del Norte, to facilitate the ferrying equipment vessels of different mining industry, to provide convenience for unloading operations of the National Food Authority and offer expediency of RORO (roll-on,roll-off) services within the area.

The Verano Port extension project includes the extending of existing wharf, construction of RORO ramp with an estimated cost of more or less 400 million pesos. (mindanao.com)
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Summer is the best time to explore and experience new fun activities. Whether indoors or outdoors, the possibilities are endless when it comes to summer fun.

The most common summer activity is undoubtedly swimming in sandy beaches or in sparkling pools. Under the scorching heat of the fun, the waters are cool and refreshing.

On radiant beaches, snorkeling adds thrill in the blue water adventure. Under water, you get to appreciate life in more vibrant colors. This recreational activity allows you to witness underwater attraction.

The country boasts various tourist destinations that sparkle best during summer. For one, the Underground River in Palawan presents a breathtaking view of the cave complex surrounded by the green waters.

Taking the cue from having 7,107 islands, the country’s summer destinations make a long list – the white sand beaches of Boracay, tropical island getaway in Mactan, majestic waterfalls in Camiguin, the surfing island of Siargao, and the famous Ifugao rice terraces. Even before you start changing country codes, it looks interesting to explore our own country’s treasures first.

On solid grounds, go-kart racing gives you an adrenaline rush. If you are a person of speed, you are sure to love every minute on the race track.

Indoors, you can try testing your physical prowess through a myriad of sports events. If you want adventure beyond basketball or swimming, taekwondo comes as a real challenge. This martial art pounds more beat than any other sports activity and brings a competitive tone.

If you want to put your focus to a test, rifle shooting is a good avenue. More than the booming sound it produces from the barrel, rifle shooting tests your ability or inability to keep still.

And if you simply want to ride the beat, put on your dancing shoes. These days, belly dancing has become popular. With the clinking sound near your belly, this dance lets you swing into the rhythm.

Whichever way you may choose to unleash your summer energies, remember to keep yourself in tip-top shape. Energizing healthy foods and refreshing pure drinks provide one bold step towards a healthier you to enjoy a fun and active summer. (philstar.com)
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A drug rehabilitation and treatment center will soon open in Caraga.

In a Memorandum of Agreement signed on March 19, 2009 between the Surigao City local government unit (LGU) and the Department of Health (DOH) – Caraga, the P40-million first government-run facility will be built in Surigao City to serve as a drug treatment facility in the region.

The rehab center will have a 50-bed capacity situated on a 40-hectare lot donated by the LGU of Surigao City. Ground breaking is expected in May with the target completion date in 2010. The Office of Special Concerns of the DOH has already provided the first tranche in the amount of P7.5 million. The Caraga Regional Development Council endorsed the project under RDC Resolution No. 15, S. 2008 during its full council meeting held on September 24, 2008 in Surigao City.

In a related development, the P2.5 million Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitation Clinic of the Caraga Regional Hospital was officially opened on the same day that the MOA on the drug rehab center was signed. The clinic accepts patients for detoxification before admission to the drug rehabilitation and treatment center.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared herself as the drug czar in the Philippines and the projects in the region are part of her campaign to prevent and curb drug problems and provide rehabilitation and treatment to victims of drug abuse. Caraga is one of the regions in the country with the highest prevalence of drug use. (Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga)

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Gihangyo karon sa kadumalahan sa National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM-Caraga) ang katawhan nga motabang sa ilang buhatan aron mamahimong epektibo ang kapulisan sa tahas nga gisangon ngadto kanila pinaagi sa paghatag og feed back.

Gibutyag ni Regional Director Homer Mariano Cabral, nga kung walay feed back nga moabot sa ilang buhatan mahitungod sa dili maayong taras sa kapulisan nga gipakita diha sa matag police station, dile usab nila kini mapitol.

Dugang usab sa opisyal nga kini lamang ang ilang nakita nga angayang buhaton sa katawhan sanglit kini man usab ang mas labaw’ng nasayod sa performance sa ilang kapulisan.

Gipasalig usab niya nga andam nilang hatagan og aksyon kung dunay sumbong nga ipaabot sa mga residente ngadto sa ilang buhatan. (James Barcelona, Lantawan)
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Na-alarma na ang Police Regional Office-13 sa pagsaka sa rata sa kriminalidad sa rehiyon sa unang kwarter karong tuiga apan aminado si P/Sr Supt Nestor Fajura – hepe sa R3 Division nga ang trend sa pagsaka mao usab ang nahitabo sa ubang rehiyon sa nasud.

Gibutyag sa opisyal nga niadtong tuig 2007 0g 2008, mikunhod og mayo ang crime volume sa rehiyon apan sa unang kwarter ning tuiga, misaka kini hinuon dili kini susama kataas sa level niadtong tuig 2005 og 2006.

Partikular sa mga kasong misaka mao ang index crimes sama sa murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, theft og robbery kansa maoy ilang gibantayan tungod kay dinhi kasagaran ang duna’y matalang casualty.

Sa maong mga kaso, ang ilang mas gikabalak-an mao ang pagsaka sa ihap sa mga kasong murde, robbery, homicide og rape. (James Barcelona, Lantawan)
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Hundreds of residents in Libjo, a coastal town in the province of Dinagat Islands rejoiced as nine of its community projects funded last year by the KALAHI-CIDSS Project were inaugurated on April 1, 2 and 3, 2009. Said infrastructures consist of water system, high school buildings, drainage, health facilities, day care and some hundreds of linear meters of seawall which the residents claimed to be of utmost need in their barangays.

In all of his inauguration speeches delivered in the different recipient barangays, town mayor Lamberto Llamera, Jr. emphasized the stringent but effective processes of KALAHI-CIDSS. He said that through this “tedious” processes, residents who volunteered to work for the project learn and understand how the government worked for its development efforts.

“We have been used to the old system of implementing projects, we love to cut corners to make our projects quick,” says Mayor Llamera in Surigaonon dialect.

“But in KALAHI-CIDSS, it’s different. They taught us the proper way no matter how stringent its is. Nabaid ang ato pangutok… ang uban prohekto wala gani mag-indoktrina sa mga katawhan” (Our minds were sharpened… the other projects haven’t even bothered to teach the people), the mayor explained.

Leopoldo Cabeza, a high school principal in Brgy. Albor who shared his experiences from KALAHI-CIDSS, likewise attested that the project has empowered ordinary residents in their small town.

“I learned a lot of things in KALAHI-CIDSS which I have not earned in my attendance to the numerous seminars conducted by the Education Department,” said Cabeza. Being a principal of the school which had availed funding for a 3-classroom building, Mr. Cabeza unselfishly volunteered his extra time to supervise the construction. He heads the Monitoring and Inspectorate Team for the project.

The success of KALAHI-CIDSS in Libjo was well-felt in all its 16 barangays who each have availed at least one community project chosen by the community people themselves. Because of this, Mayor Llamera affirmed their interest to participate in case KALAHI-CIDSS pushes for another project life. He also announced that the LGU has always been ready with its counterpart, especially if it’s for the projects implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The KALAHI-CIDSS is a World-Bank funded project implemented by DSWD and is a flagship anti-poverty project of the present government. Launched in Caraga Region on 2003, the project will end in June 2009. (DSWD-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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Padayong gipatuman ang Oplan Kwaresma sa Police Regional Office-13 sukad pa niadtong Miyerkules sa Badlis (Ash Wednesday) isip kabahin sa paghatag og seguridad sa tanang katawhan panahon sa pag-obserba sa Semana Santa.

Sa interview sa Bombo Radyo, gipadayag ni P/Sr Supt Nestor Fajura – hepe sa R-3 Division nga gipa-alerto na nila ang tanang police station aron ipatuman na ang ilang mga lakang alang sa malinawon og hapsay nga pag-obserbar sa Seman Santa.

Mas gihatagan nila og pagtagad ang mga lugar nga maoy kasagarang adto-an sa mga tawo niining panahuna sama sa simbahan, mga bus terminals, pantalan og tugpahanan.

Subay sa pag-obserbar sa mahal nga adlaw, nanawagan siya sa tanang katawhan nga magtinabangay aron mapreserbar ang kalinaw.

Nanghinaut usab siya nga mabulukon ang paghandom sa Semana Santa og makahinulsol kita sa atong mga sala ilabina ang mga rebeldeng NPA sa ingon dili na muhimo pagpangatake nga makadaut sa kaayuhan sa katawhan. (James Barcelona, Lantawan)
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On April 2, 2009 at 8:00 in the morning at Sitio Campo, Barangay Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte, PNP elements of Placer Municipal Police Station led by PSINSP Alejandro Recimo arrested the suspect identified as Genio Geli, 24 years old, single, fisherman and resident of Barangay Bugasbugas, Placer, Surigao del Norte by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Florifinas Buyser of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 30, Surigao City under CC number 7132 for frustrated murder with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 200,000.

Subject person was turned over to the issuing court for proper disposition.

At 9:20 in the morning at Castillo Street, Mangagoy, Bislig City, a certain Alfonso De Castro, 36 years old, married, farmer and resident of Mancarogo, Poblacion, Bislig City was arrested by SPO1 Wilbert Sardalla by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Francisco T Maclang of RTC Branch 3, Butuan City dated July 16, 2007 docketed under CC number 12177 for the crime of estafa with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 16,000.00.

Subject person now detained at Bislig City Police Station for proper disposition.

Around 10:30 in the morning at Barangay Kinabjangan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, PNP elements of Nasipit Municipal Police Station led by SPO4 Emmanuel Agbubbo arrested a certain Roel Salda Jamero, 43 years old, resident of Purok West, Barangay Cubi-cubi, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte by virtue of WOA under CC number 35319 for violation of SP ordinance No 894-92 and a certain Robert C Adlawon, 22 years old, single and resident of said place under CC number 9536,9508 and 9443, all issued by Hon Judge James Go of MTCC Branch 2, Libertad, Butuan City dated February 9, 2009.

Arrested person now detained at Nasipit Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Also, on April 3, 2009 at 10:15 in the morning at Purok-1, Barangay Canlanipa, Surigao City, a certain Renante B Puyales, 40 years old, married, employee of Provincial Capitol of Surigao del Norte and resident of Purok-1, Barangay Canlanipa, Surigao City was arrested by PNP elements of Surigao City Police Station led by SPO4 Ceferino Guzman Jr by virtue of WOA under CC number 8309 issued by Hon Judge Victor A Canoy of RTC Branch 29, Surigao City dated March 20, 2009 for violation of RA 9262 (Violence Against Women and Children) with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 20,000.00.

Arrested person now detained at Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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The Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) and the NEDA Regional Office-XIII took the lead in coordinating the 2-day visit of the German Ambassador H.E. Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch in Caraga Region last April 2-3, 2009.

During the visit, His Excellency Weber-Lortsch distributed relief assistance at a handover ceremony on April 2 in the Municipal Hall of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. The Federal Government of Germany through the Ambassador extended a grant of PhP 1,312,200 (about EUR 22,121) to the project “Emergency Relief Operation in Caraga” spearheaded by the CCPD. The German government assistance will be distributed in the form of humanitarian assistance packets to about 1,200 families affected the worst by the natural disaster that struck Mindanao, particularly the Caraga Region on January 10 to 18 this year which left families with damaged houses, lost properties and livelihoods.

The packets contain food as well as non-food items including medicine. The grant will also cover administrative costs including transportation to the devastated remote areas where services and assistance are difficult to avail particularly Esperanza, San Luis and La Paz in Agusan del Sur; Jabonga and Tubay in Agusan del Norte; Soccoro Island, Mainit and Placer in Surigao del Norte; San Miguel and Carrascal in Surigao del Sur.

Upon his arrival, the Ambassador was welcomed by Butuan City Vice-Mayor Dino Claudio M. Sanchez, Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, Father Lito Clase, NEDA Regional Director Carmencita S. Cochingco, Major General Ricardo David and Police Chief Supt. Jaime Milla. The Ambassador with the party proceeded to the Bishop’s Home to confer with the CCPD stakeholders and local leaders. He then proceeded to Jabonga for the Hand-over Ceremony and Relief Distribution which were participated in by Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John M. Amante and Jabonga Mayor Glicerio M.Monton, Jr. A press conference with the Ambassador was also conducted at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan City upon their arrival from Jabonga.

Congressman Jose ‘Joboy’ Aquino II of the 1 District of Agusan del Norte and Butuan City hosted a dinner for the Ambassador with the officials of Butuan City.

On Friday, April 3, the Ambassador proceeded to Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur to meet with Governor Ma. Valentina G. Plaza and other LGU officials. Agusan del Sur is also covered by the German Government Assistance.

Since the start of RP’s bilateral cooperation with Germany in 1961, the German government has extended a total bilateral assistance of more than EUR 571 million in financial cooperation and EUR 272 million in technical cooperation for a broad spectrum of programs and projects. On March 9, 2009, it committed an overall amount of seven million Euros to technical cooperation projects in the Caraga Region; this amount will be complemented by additional funds for financial cooperation projects.

The GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), under commission from the German Federal Government, has been working with the government and selected communities in the Philippines since 1971, sharing the best in German technology and her wealth of experience in international cooperation. Together with other implementing agencies from Germany, GTZ will carry out future cooperation projects of German ODA in the Caraga region. (NEDA-13)


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On April 1, 2009 around 2:50 in the afternoon at Purok-2 Barangay Capangdan, Claver, Surigao del Norte, a resident of said place was bumped by a maroon Isuzu Jeep with plate number RBA-465 driven by "Bobby" Leyros, 26 years old, married and a resident of Barangay Daywan, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Victim was identified as Wilfredo Escanilla, 49 years old, single and a resident of Purok-2 Barangay Capangdan, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Investigation revealed that while Escanilla was walking along the National Highway of the above place was accidentally bumped by the said vehicle which resulted to his instantaneous death.

Victim’s remains now lies at Claver Funeral Parlor Home while the driver voluntarily surrendered to Claver Municipal Police Station and presently detained thereat for further investigation and for filing of appropriate case against him. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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On April 5, 2009 at 9:30 in the evening at the Junction of Barangay Songkoy and Nueva Estrella, Socorro, Surigaom del Norte, PNP elements of Socorro Municipal Police Station led by PSI JOSE GORGONIO INHAYNES, COP, apprehended the suspect identified as Eduardo Dizon, 40 years old, married and a resident of Barangay Songkoy, Socorro, Surigao del Norte for having been caught in his possession and control one unit Cal. 22 revolver, Llama with no Serial Number, three live ammos and one empty shell.

Arrested suspect and confiscated firearm was brought to Socorro Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Also, on April 6, 2009 at 11:00 in the evening at Barangay Don Ruben, San Jose, Dinagat Islands, PNP elements of 1407th PPMG led by PINSP Angelo L. Virtudazo, under the supervision of PSSUPT Rodolfo Marmol Dasmariñas, PD, Dinagat Islands and in coordination with the Barangay Captain of the said barangay conducted checkpoint, which resulted to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Renerio Conje Moralde, 50 years old, married, Security Guard and a native of Daan Bantayan, Cebu City and presently residing at Purok-2, Barangay Aurelio, San Jose , Dinagat Islands.

Recovered from his possession and control were one unit Cal. 45, Colt MK IV/series 70, bearing SN number 069530, one magazine with eight rounds live ammos and one jungle knife.

Arrested person now detained at San Jose Municipal Police Station for custodial investigation and filing appropriate charges in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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HOLY WEEK break travelers have been given a reprieve after oil companies announced pump price cuts effective yesterday and today to reflect lower crude oil rates.

In separate text messages, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines, Inc., Total Philippines Corp. and PTT Philippines, Inc. reduced the prices of diesel and kerosene products by a peso per liter and gasoline by 50 centavos.

Shell and Chevron cut rates at 7 p.m. while PTT and Total reduced prices at 6 a.m. today.

According to Shell, imported gasoline and diesel as of March 30-April 3 were at $57.75 and $59.84 per barrel, respectively, as against $59.70 and $62.56 on March 23-27.

Small retailer Flying V, meanwhile, said it would maintain prices as its suggested retail price are still lower than the competition, but the company said it would match the lower prices of competitor outlets near Flying V stations.

As of April 4, gasoline prices ranged from P30.75 to P39.35 per liter while diesel was at P24.25 to P31.28 per liter. Kerosene prices were at P32.10 to P35.73 per liter.

Meanwhile, National Council for Consumer Protection (NCCP) president Elvira Y. Medina said in an interview yesterday they have withdrawn their P1 fare cut petition in light of recent fuel price increases.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) granted last February NCCP’s petition for a 50-centavo fare cut for the first four kilometers.

The downward adjustment was the third reduction in jeepney fares since last November from a high of P8.50 at the peak of fuel prices last year.

Transport group Pasang Masda said that it will file a petition next week to reinstate the 50-centavo provisional fare increase, while the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide said that it is still assessing the situation.

Special bus permits

In a related development, the LTFRB has issued special permits to Metro Manila and provincial bus operators to accommodate heavy passenger traffic during the Holy Week break.

"We have allowed bus operators to take additional operations to accommodate the influx of passengers travelling during Holy Week," LTFRB Chairman Alberto H. Suansing said yesterday.

The approval for 240 permits issued on Friday and effective on April 5-13, granted 153 additional bus units to operate in Northern Luzon, 18 in the Bicol Region, 35 in Southern Luzon, and 34 in Visayas.

Mr. Suansing said the number of travelers is estimated to reach millions.

As this developed, Northern Mindanao is on heightened alert to ensure the safety of travelers and visitors to the region, the regional police chief said.

Chief Superintendent Danilo T. Empedrad said his office is coordinating with local government-based police units for tightened security.

"We have deployed additional personnel at transport terminals and the ports, especially Balingoan" said Mr. Empedrad.

Thousands of devotees, local and foreign tourists pass by Balingoan port en route to Camiguin Island to join the Panaad Festival, a yearly retreat of penitents walking the 64-kilometer circumferential road to Mount Vulcan.

The Iligan city police will increase police visibility in crowded areas, said officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Oscar D. Aguda, Sr.

Major Michele B. Anayron, Jr., spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division, said the military will support the augmentation of security personnel in urban centers and rural areas of Northern Mindanao.

"We were given orders to provide assistance to commuters or travelers when needed especially along the Balingoan-Camiguin route and to Siargao route [in Caraga]," said Mr. Anayron in a separate interview.

He said that as early as last week, government troops have conducted operations in Northern Mindanao and in Caraga Region to prevent attacks from rebel groups.

Northern Mindanao, specifically Lanao del Norte, has been the subject of violent raids from rogue Moro rebels in August last year.

Power transmission facilities in remote areas in the region have also been attacked repeatedly by saboteurs, including extortion gangs. — Ava Kashima K. Austria, Jose Bimbo F. Santos and Geefe P. Alba, BW
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The remote eastern coastline of Mindanao would soon become a major transportation route connecting the once sleepy and disaster-battered but resource-rich coastal towns of Manay in southernmost Davao Oriental and Claver in northernmost Surigao del Norte.

The different sections of the eastern Mindanao road network were in various stages of work, with the southernmost section, the Mati-Manay towns of Davao Oriental, already completed last year.

The southernmost section of the seven-section road network covers 66.85 kilometers, and where the government spent P984 million to build. This was the first of the sections constructed in October 2004 and finished last September.

The other six sections were started in 2007.

The adjacent section, the Boston-Manay section in northern Davao Oriental, is 52.54-percent complete and is the most expensive to construct, covering 83.89 kilometers.

The section was one of three sections that breached P1 billion in construction cost. The other sections were the Bislig-Boston section (P1.092 billion, covering 72.39 kilometers) and the Marihatag-Hinatuan-Bislig section (P1.175 billion, covering 89.06 kilometers).

The Bislig, Surigao del Sur-Boston, Davao Oriental, section was 61.1-percent complete, and the next adjacent section, from Bislig through Hinatuan to Marihatag, all in Surigao del Sur, was reported at 51.16-percent complete with a total of 69.06 kilometers.

The Cortes-Tandag-Marihatag section, also of Surigao del Sur, was 31.22-percent complete compared with its entire length of 75 kilometers.

The Adlay-Bon-ot section of Surigao del Norte was bidded out in June last year and the contractor was still awaiting the release of funds to start construction. The project cost was placed at P200 million.

The last section, the 40-kilometer Bacuag-Claver section, was already 60.42-percent complete.

The Davao Oriental-Surigao coastal strip has been one of the neglected areas in Mindanao, although the two regions where they belong performed fairly well in exports.

The Davao-Surigao coastal-road project is one of the major road-network projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which has an increased budget this year of P23.676 billion.

The budget outlay for the project has little component from foreign funding, accounting for only 6.7 percent of the outlay, or about P1.587 billion. The bulk, or P22.089 billion (93.3 percent) of are locally funded.

The budget outlay was higher that last year’s P15.203 billion, with 12.6 percent (P1.913 billion) of the projects being foreign-funded.

In this year’s total budget outlay of the department for the region, 87 percent, or P20.714 billion, was allotted to roads and bridges, as well as ongoing projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Central Mindanao. Part of the money was intended to support peace and development efforts in areas plagued by armed conflict.

The completed and ongoing major road-network projects in the regions were the Zamboanga City road project, Buug-Kabansalan section of the Zamboanga City-Pagadian City road network and the Barcelona-Katipunan Road project of Zamboanga del Norte for the Zamboanga Peninsula; the Pinamaloy-Damulog section of the Maramag-Kibawe (all in Bukidnon)-Kabacan (North Cotabato) road network, the Malalag-Malita road project in Davao del Sur, Surigao-Agusan-Davao road network, and the Bukidnon-Davao road project, all in Southern Mindanao.

Also, part of the inventory of road-network projects are the Alegria-Santiago and the Bayugan-Awa-San Francisco sections of the Surigao-Agusan-Davao road network and the second Magsaysay Bridge and Butuan City bypass road in the Caraga Region; and the Oroquieta City-Sindangan section and the Calamba-Barcelona sections of the Zamboanga del Norte road network in Western Mindanao.

Those road networks are major transportation routes in Mindanao, and complement the proposed Mindanao railway project being studied by government planners. (Business Mirror)
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THE municipality of Siayan in Zamboanga del Norte is the poorest locale and has the most severe form of poverty in the Philippines, according to the 2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates recently released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

The study, funded by the World Bank, surveyed 1,622 municipalities and cities all over the country. It ranked municipalities according to poverty incidence, poverty gap and severity of poverty.

In all the categories, Siayan ranked first. A third-class municipality with a population of 34,588 in 2007, most of Siayan’s residents fish and farm as their main source of livelihood.

The NSCB said in terms of poverty incidence, Siayan was first with a poverty incidence of 97.5 percent and coefficient of variation equal to 1.4 percent.

Siayan’s poverty gap is estimated at 63.2 percent, which means its residents are not only poor but their incomes are also far from the threshold compared with other poor municipalities.

The municipality also had the most severe type of poverty based on an index of 42.9 percent.

“Many residents of this municipality are poor with incomes that are far from the poverty line. In addition, the poor residents of the municipality are in very severe poverty state. Hence, being first in terms of the three poverty measures indicates that a considerable amount of resources is needed to alleviate poverty in this area,” the NSCB said.

Among the poorest 40 municipalities of the country, five were in Luzon; two in the province of Kalinga in the Cordillera Autonomous Region; one in the province of La Union in Region I; two from Region 4-B; and one each in the provinces of Palawan and Oriental Mindoro.

The second-poorest is Tanudan, a fourth-class municipality in the province of Kalinga. In this remote community, almost nine of 10 residents live below the poverty line.

The lowest poverty incidence estimated among the 40 municipalities is 74.3 percent, indicating that at least seven of 10 residents are poor.

In the Visayas, the seven municipalities on the list were from Region VIII, specifically in the province of Western Samar, which was considered the poorest province in 2003.

Mindanao accounted for 28 of 40 poorest municipalities in the list mostly from Regions IX, X, XI and Caraga. The municipalities in Mindanao are found in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte with seven; also seven in Zamboanga del Sur; one in Davao del Norte; three in Davao del Sur; four in Agusan del Sur; two in Surigao del Norte; and four in and Lanao del Norte.

“It can be said that within a province that is not generally considered poor, there are municipalities that are very poor and need more assistance compared with other municipalities or cities in the same province,” the study stated. (Business Mirror)
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I begin this year with a sense of urgency, but also with a deep sense of hope and renewed purpose. Our city and our country is now at the crossroads of this global economic downturn, but we must move forward and preserve the gains we have sown through the years, with close community participation and cooperation.

I take pride therefore to report to all of you on the state of the city for the year 2008.


FISCAL ADMINISTRATION

In 2008, despite the global economic downturn, the city was able to maintain to some degree, the targetted 40:60 ratio of local income against the nationally-sourced Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). The LGU share of IRA in 2008 totalled P275.7 million representing about 62% of the total income of the city for this year. The total IRA share include the monetized share of previously withheld portions amounting to more than P15.0 million. Local income on the other hand totalled P167.178 million, P9.4 million of which comes from borrowings and about P3.6 million as beginning year balance.

For the past five (5) years, our income increased at a rate of 13.73% per annum. From only P 285 million in 2004, it increased to more than P442 million last year. Between the years 2007 and 2008, our total income managed to increased slightly by 0.71%.

In the distribution of locally-generated income,Business Taxes garnered the highest share accounting for more than 30%, followed by income from economic enterprises at 21.33%, and service fees and business income by more than 15% The share of real property taxes, the highest contributor in the previous fiscal year due to the collection of back taxes from Nonoc nickel refinery only accounts for 7.4% of the total income during this period.


TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

With the successful implementation of the previous two (2) phases of the USAID and Asia Foundation-supported Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) Project of the city since 2003, the year in review proved to be another banner implementation period in the city’s continuing effort to install reforms to curb red tape.

The TAG Phase 3, which began implementation in 2008 focused on three (3) areas of concern, namely: (1) Procedural Review and Reforms of the newly-established Citizens Assistance Center; (2) Human Resource Development and Management System enhancement, and (3) Local Economic Policy Reform initiative with emphasis on standardizing services information to the public through the Citizens Charter.


CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

The existing participatory structures in the city government remained in-place and active in accordance with R.A. 7160 or the Local Government Code. The local special bodies such as the City Development Council, City School Board, City Health Board, the Peace and Order Council and the City Disaster Coordinating Council, continue to perform its mandated functions with the required balance of representation and participation from the non-government sector.

The same has been maintained with the numerous special committees, councils and other entities, for example the nutrition council, solid waste management board, urban development/ and housing council and others. The tripartite working structure between the LGU, the business sector and civil society organizations which was established as part of the TAG Project remained in place and functional.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod has for its part also adhered to enhancing peoples participation in governance during the conduct of various committee meetings and public hearings.

LOCAL LEGISLATION

The office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Rico Salvador A. Sering at the helm, remained steadfast and supportive of the overall development agenda of the city.

Based on the Executive-Legislative Agenda and the overall development plan of the city, a total of 300 resolutions and 13 ordinances were passed, together with 60 appropriation ordinances. Several public hearings were conducted, committee hearings and meetings in the pursuit of enabling greater community participation.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

In line with their mandate, the CPDO was able to complete the preparation of the Annual Investment Plan for 2009, the initial parceliary mapping component of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan covering (CLUP) two (2) urban barangays as part of the on-going CLUP updating, the city’s Socio Economic Profile 2007, and the City Accomplishment Report 2007, including the preparation of the State of the City Address and the State of Local Governance Report.

In coordination with the City DILG and the City Budget Office, the CPDO also facilitated and conducted a barangay planning and budgeting workshop for all newly-elected barangay officials in January last year.

The project proposals prepared by the project development team of the city were favourably considered for implementation by various funding agencies overseas development assistance (ODA) donors, accessing a total project amount of more than P45 million.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT

The city maintained its adherence to prescribed mandates in human resource management and development, in line with the requirements of the 2nd level accreditation from the Civil Service Commission in 2007.

2008 saw the series of workshops being conducted on the existing human resource management structures, functions, and even feedback surveys on the current pulse, issues and related concerns that need management action. Among the activities conducted in this regard was the conduct of workshops which tackled the review of the organizational and functional structures of the LGU, conduct of needs assessment, orientation on the Office Performance Evaluation System (OPES), and the refresher seminar on Basic Customer Service Skills for 60 front line personnel of the city. Formulation of standard operational procedures for the Citizens Assistance Center was also completed last August.

In coordination with the City DILG, other line agencies, and civil society organizations, the city also facilitated the conduct of the Systems Capacity on Local Governance Survey (SCALOGS), which resulted to the formulation of the City’s Capacity Development Plan.

To further enhance efficiency and accountability among our employees, the city beginning January 2008 installed biometrics fingerprint readers for the attendance and leaves monitoring system of our regular employees.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The processing of business permits under the one-stop shop set-up during the renewal period remained to be kept in under two (2) hours. Such effort is in line with sustaining the reforms initiated under the TAG Project. This process was further boosted with the operationalization of the computerized Business Tax Assessment and Collection System (BTACS) which was installed last April 2008 and the Real Property Tax Assessment and Collection System (RTACS) in 2006.

The frontline revenue generating services of the city is now enjoying the benefits of automated processing. These two (2) priority services will be elevated this year 2009 to acquire ISO Certification in terms of Quality Management System with the technical assistance provided by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

As an offshot of the continued involvement of the local business sector and civil society organizations in improving service standards in the LGU, the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry was awarded as 2008 Most Outstanding Chamber in Mindanao during the 34th Philippine Business Conference.

At the end of this month we would be able to publish and make available to the public, the City of Surigao Citizens Charter. Said charter spells in utmost but brief details the flow of service processes in all the departments catering to basic government services.

HEALTH & NUTRITION

The city government sustained its delivery of quality health care to the public in the mainland and island barangays through the effective collaboration of the city’s skilled health personnel with community volunteers and the untiring support of civil society.

The creation of the Barangay Luna Health Station into a new Health District and the full operation of the Birthing Home in the Hikdop Islands provided greater accessibility to health services for residents, particularly children and pregnant and lactating women, in the far-flung barangays. In 2008, the New Hikdop Island Birthing Home in Brgy. Buenavista catered to 27 deliveries and made three (3) referrals.

Through the vigilance of the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) of the City Health Office, potential outbreak of diseases was successfully prevented. Dengue cases decreased from a total of 226 in 2007 to 100 in 2008. We were able to sustain the city as a Malaria Free zone. Quick responses were made to control the Filariasis infection among the indigenous people in Sitio Tagbasingan, Brgy. Mat-i through mass drug administration, distribution of mosquito nets to households and intensified information drive to the community. The CESU also contained the melamine scare by conducting inspections in local department stores to ensure that banned dairy products were not sold to the public.

City sanitation officers inspected food and non-food establishments and conducted a food handlers class to prevent health related problems among the consuming public. For 2008, health certificates were issued to 3,448 food establishments and 4,102 non-food establishments while sanitary permits were issued to a total of 3,552 establishments. An island campaign on toilet construction and the issuance of sanitary permits and health certificates were also undertaken. Because of these initiatives, the City of Surigao was awarded 2nd runner-up overall in the 2008 National Searchfor Barangay Best Sanitation Practices, with three (3) barangays (Poctoy, Punta Bilar and San Isidro) reaping the 2nd and 3rd honors under the urban and rural categories.

The City of Surigao was a recipient of the 2008 Most Outstanding Implementor in the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) Award given by the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. This was made possible by the active involvement of the REDCOP coalition in the conduct of urinalysis screening in public schools and other establishments, and the continuous advocacy on healthy lifestyle and the prevention of kidney disease. A health-based organization, the Fruitful Harvest Ministries, supported this endeavor by providing medicines for clients with urinary tract infections.

Fighting malnutrition especially among children has always been one of the major challenges of local government. Through the effective collaboration between the city government and non-government organizations, significant gains were achieved during the year. Supplemental Feeding was intensified through the Nourish the Children Project which provided vitameals to 495 pre-school children in seven (7) critical barangays. The Fruitful Harvest Ministry headed by Pastor Charlie Sickles and Allan Ernest Crampin sustained its Sandi Chester Feeding program which benefited 110 pre-school children in three (3) barangays. As a sustainability measure to the feeding program, a nutrition information and education activity - the “Pabasa sa Nutrisyon” - was conducted in 18 barangays educating 479 mothers. Vitamin A supplementations were distributed to 6-71 month- preschool children both routine & high risk groups through the Garantisadong Pambata. In effect, the prevalence rate of below normal low (BNL) and below normal very low (BNVL) among pre-schoolers was reduced to 9.36% from 12.85% in 2007. Mrs. Rosario Ramirez, was adjudged as the 2008 Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar in Caraga Region.

Similarly, the DepEd Surigao City Division office strived to improve the nutritional status of school children by giving breakfast feedings to below normal pupils in grades 1 and 2. The Sta. Josefa Feeding Project of the Servants of Jesus of Charity headed by Sister Rafaela Lazaro assisted the division by undertaking a 6-month feeding program at the Sabang Elementary School in Barangay Sabang and Emerico Borja Elementary School in Barangay Trinidad. In addition, all 65 elementary schools and 17 secondary schools in the division established school vegetable gardens to inculcate among the studentry the values of good health, nutrition, industry and love for labor. The SAPAGKAT Gulayan sa Paaralan (GPP) program, is tied up with the “Programang Agrikultura Para sa Masa” of the Department of Agriculture.

Mental health was given more focus with the creation of the City Mental Health Committee and the forging of linkages with the Caraga Regional Hospital and private organizations. Starjed Microfinance, Inc. thru Mrs. Eugene Louca donated a monthly cash assistance of P5,000 for the purchase of oral medications for mental patients.

EDUCATION

In 2008, the city government invested over P12 million pesos under the Special Education Fund to provide for the honorarium of 45 elementary and 79 secondary school board teachers, or a total of 114 teachers thus addressing to a big extent the shortage of teachers in the division. Moreover, we spent P2.2 million under the general fund to undertake 97 projects relating to the construction, repair and rehabilitation of public school buildings.

The Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry donated a total of 12 classrooms in four (4) elementary schools and two (2) high schools, with a total value of over P2 million.

Through the City Scholarship Program, some 350 poor but deserving students were able to enroll in the different technical-vocational institutions and higher education learning institutions in the city. The city invested close to P1.3 million to ensure that poverty will not become an obstacle to the children’s quest for higher education. For school year 2007 – 2008, 79 scholars finished their education, five (5) of whom graduated cum laude. One (1) scholar successfully passed the licensure examination for nurses.

In addition, educational assistance was extended to 85 children of parolees and probationers, including two (2) Juveniles in Conflict with the Law (JICL) in the form of school bags, notebooks, writing pads, pencil and crayons. The League of Intimate Services Oriented, Inc. (LISO), headed by Jerome Azarcon a partner non-government organization, also assisted the city government in upholding children’s right to development by assisting some 2,300 of its registered elementary and high school children and 100 in college, in their tuition fees and school uniforms. The Fruitful Harvest Ministry likewise distributed school supplies to 251 elementary school children/ and 66 day care children in Barangay Mat-i.

With the integration of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) in basic education, many schools in the city division acquired computer units and are engaging in e-learning lessons. The Rizal National High School (RNHS) was a recipient of 21 computer units with server, printer and scanner from Intel Education Philippines.

Furthermore, INTEL Teach Trainings on Computer and Internet Literacy and Skills for Success were conducted for students and teachers of RNHS and the Caraga Regional Science High School.

Under the Kidsmart Early Childhood Learning Program, the Surigao City Pilot School and Capalayan Elementary School were recipients of the “Young Explorer”– a computer loaded with award-winning educational software and housed in a colorful children’s desk furniture. This was made possible through the donation from the Philex Lascogon Mining Corporation. Demonstration lessons using the center-based approach were conducted by trained teachers, and this was one of the programs highlighted during the Accreditation Program for Public Elementary Schools (APPES).
In 2008, three (3) schools in the division qualified for level I accreditation – the Mariano Espina Memorial Central Elementary School, Surigao City Pilot School and B. Vasquez Elementary School.

A new Speech Laboratory Equipment with 30 booths and Table Control Set and complete electronic facilities were installed at the Surigao City National High School. These equipments, valued at P1million was provided by the Department of Education and was expected to enhance the implementation of the National English Proficiency Program of the entire division.

2008 was a banner year for the Surigao City Division in Alternative Learning Systems (ALS). With the regular conduct of community-based Basic Literacy cum livelihood classes to indigenous communities, particularly the Badjaos, and Mamanuas and extension of non-formal classes to parolees and probationers and to the inmates of the city jail, the city government was cited as 1st Runner u in the Most Outstanding LGU component city category, National Literacy Awards. Furthermore, Ms. Aniana Ejoc, the AL coordinato of District IV received the 2nd place award in the National Search for the Best ALS Coordinator. Mr. Hermiette F. Lerog, another ALS mobile teacher in District I was privileged to be a participant in the International Study Tour and Fellowship for ALS Field Implementers in Malaysia.
In the area of technical-vocational education, the city government sustained its Livelihood Training and Productivity Program through the operation of the Livelihood Training and Productivity Center in Barangay Luna. Some 1,109 trainees in three batches were able to complete short term technical-vocational courses, with Basic Computer Education posting the most number of enrollees. 49 of these graduates were assessed and certified by TESDA and are already working here and abroad.

The Surigao Norte College of Arts and Trades (SNCAT) under the Leadership of Mr. Wilfredo Tiu being the only accredited training center for Slaughtering in Mindanao entered into a memorandum of agreement with the City Slaughterhouse to be used in the accreditation requirements relative to training, structure, equipment, tools and water supply. For the year 2008, 134 trainees graduated from this training and were duly certified. The high demand for this particular skill overseas has attracted trainees from all over Mindanao.

We sustained the operations of the only Madrasah school in Caraga region where children of our Muslim brothers acquire basic elementary education.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Our City maintained its status as Regional winner in the 2008 Search for Child Friendly Cities and Municipalities conducted by the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC). This was a concrete testimony of the city’s continuing efforts to sustain an environment where children grow and develop their full potential.

4,055 pre-school children were recognized in the 82 day care centers and supervised neighborhood plays. The city government upgraded the provision of day care services according to the standards set forth in the Early Childhood Care and Development Act. 12 projects involving the repair and improvement of day care centers were undertaken during the year with a total cost of P.5 million. The city government also sustained a special type of day care service for special children called the “Tawag Center”. This facility was established by the City Council for the Protection of Children and the Federation of Associations of Surigao City Senior citizens (FASCSCI) and has served 18 children/ since its inception in 2006.

Through the continued operation of the Residential Center for Street Children in Barangay Anomar, four (4) orphans, two (2) maltreated children and six (6) abandoned and neglected children were provided with appropriate programs and services for their rehabilitation and development. Three (3) of these children were eventually reintegrated to their families.

The Crisis Center for Women and Children effectively catered to 119 children in conflict with the law (CICL), 26 children who were victims of abuse, three (3) victims of trafficking and 39 women victims of violence. Most of the clients were provided with temporary shelter, food transportation medical assistance. Women and children victims of trafficking were referred to a halfway house called the “Bahay Silungan sa Daungan”, where they received center-based protective services. This facility is located strategically at the Lipata Ferry Terminal, and its operation is jointly undertaken by the Philippine Ports Authority and the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc.

One of the most important accomplishments in 2008 was the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the city government and the Loving Presence Foundation, Inc. (LPFI) under the leadership of Josephine E. Belsondra in the undertaking of the community-based rehabilitation program for persons with disabilities. Under the agreement, the LPFI will assist in mobilizing resources for community organization, physical restoration, advocacy and livelihood of PWDs and their families. An orientation seminar was conducted to barangay health workers on the registration of PWDs and training to health personnel on Primary Eye Care. During the celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the LPFI screened over 110 clients for visual and hearing impairments and conducted urinalysis and dental examination for pupils of the special education class at Mariano Espina Memorial Central Elementary School.

About 600 individuals availed of financial assistance under the Integrated Social Development Assistance Program (ISDAP) to cover medical, burial and transportation expenses. Also, more than P2 million in mortuary aid was provided to 149 families under the Federation Mortuary Assistance System. 500 senior citizens received from the National Government, facilitated by the Office of the City Mayor, a cash subsidy of P500 through the “Katas ng VAT: Tulong Para kay Lolo at Lola” project.

More than 300 pairs of new slippers were donated by three civic organizations - the Barkadahan, Rotary Club of Central Surigao and the REACT Miners group in line with their “Pamasko” project. The city mayor distributed the slippers and additional grocery items as Christmas gifts to the indigenous children, women and men in Sitio Tagbasingan and to the residents of the remote Sitio File, in Barangay Mat-i.

HOUSING

The city government provided security of tenure to disadvantaged households by facilitating the transfer of titles to the beneficiaries of the Canlanipa Housing project and assisting the Couples for Christ (CFC) in evaluating potential beneficiaries for their Gawad Kalinga housing project site in Sitio Looc, Barangay Luna. During the year, the CFC provided shelter to very poor households, including those whose homes were damaged by heavy rain and landslides. s

In line with the continuing implementation of the Urban Renewal program, the city government closely monitored structures located along shorelines and other identified danger zones. Illegal structures were demolished in accordance with RA 7279 to prevent the proliferation of informal settlers. Several areas were cleared to pave the way for the establishment of access roads and other government projects, notably, the Surigao City Boulevard Development Project.

Income derived from urban development and housing totalled P1.19 million in 2008.

PEACE, SECURITY & DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The city registered a crime volume numbering a total of 92, which represented a 9% decline compared to the previous year. Of this, 60% were index crimes and 40% were non-index crimes. Crime solution efficiency posted high at 89% as a result of the combined efforts of the police, the barangay tanods, other law enforcement units and the community. Average crime rate in 2008 was at 69 per 100,000 population.

The Surigao City Fire Station with the active participation of the Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade on the other hand, effectively contained fire incidents in the city. Only 18 fire incidents occurred during the year, with a total estimated damage of P0.9 million. The city government, with the Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) as the project implementor, installed four (4) new fire hydrants and procured a 14,000-gallon water tanker to augment our fire-fighting capabilities.

Various rehabilitation programs were effected for the well-being of the 116 inmates at the Surigao City Jail, including medical and dental examinations, sports activities, spiritual seminars and basic literacy classes. Likewise, the City Parole and Probation Office established innovative and financially feasible projects for the moral, spiritual and economic upliftment of probationers, parolees, pardonees, and first-time minor drug offenders utilizing available community resources.

For two consecutive years, the 2007 and 2008 Best City Disaster Coordinating Council Award in Caraga Region was conferred to the city for having established a disaster management operations center, manned 24/7 by trained government emergency respondersv – the 32-man Quick Action Response Team (QART) – and equipped with standard disasteremergency equipment and facilities. The QART proved to be valuable in all aspects of disaster preparedness, evacuation, recovery and rehabilitation. In 2008 the team made a total of 2,410 emergency responses equivalent to seven (7) calls a day, consisting mostly of emergency medical cases, vehicular accidents, and transport of serious patients to the cities of Butuan, Cagayan de Oro or Davao, thus saving lives in the process. The city government initiated the enforcement of a public warning system through a series of siren blasts to give information on the alert level during the occurrence of typhoons or heavy rains.

We are very grateful with the donation of the emergency equipments and supplies from the World Outreach Mission Foundation through spouses Ronald and Sherly Devore and Spouses John and Amy Pike and Turning Point Ministries headed by Pastor Michael Villamor.

The city government used P3.7 million from its own calamity funds and another P5 million under the PGMA calamity fund to undertake relief operations and implement several infrastructure projects involving repair and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, causeways and pre-disaster mitigation projects such as slope protection.


SPORTS DEVELOPMENT & RECREATION

For the 7th consecutive year, the Mayor’s Cup Inter-School Sports Mini Olympics was conducted with 16 featured sports events, which were aligned to the requirements of the Department of Education. The said event was widely participated by all levels in the public and private schools. The city government also sponsored the 5th Summer Sports Clinic in Basketball. There were 94 participants from the elementary and secondary levels who availed of this training and received free balls and t-shirts.

In line with their campaign to promote equal opportunities for women in sports, the Philippine Sports Commission teamed up with the city government and the city division office to undertake a free sports clinic for all trainers, coaches, and PESS coordinators and hold an all-female competition in non-traditional sports events such as basketball, volleyball, swimming and marathon. The grand awarding ceremony was graced by officials from the commission, who distributed special PSC medals and trophies to the victorious women athletes.

On the other hand, the annual city sports fest was held to encourage city government employees to indulge in wholesome physical activities and adopt healthy lifestyles. Aptly dubbed as “Larong Pinoy”, the activity featured traditional Pilipino games, in addition to the usual basketball and volleyball games. A cheerdance competition among the different units highlighted the opening of the sportsfest.


AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT

Through the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program, certified seeds and hybrid bio-seeds were distributed under the 50/50 payment scheme, and a total of 939 bags were extended on a first come first served basis. This year’s total number of bags of palay seeds distributed increased by 60 percent as compared to 2007. Farm inputs, such as foliar fertilizer and Bio-N were also provided
as support to areas planted with certified hybrid seeds. As a result, these areas posted a 55.7% higher average production at 95 cavans /hectare compared to the 61 cavans/ha average of areas planted to regular seeds of different varieties. Total rice production in 2008 was 34,116.2 metric tons.

Mango was one of the gainers among the high value crops in 2008 with an output increase of 98.6 metric tons. The potential of cassava was also given focus, with the entry of San Miguel Corporation as a contract buyer. The establishment of the cassava processing facility in Brgy. Sukailang has been pursued by the Surigao City Cassava Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, through a P4.8 million grant from the government of Spain. Furthermore, the Technology Demonstration Center for High Value Crops Processing/ promoted value adding activity for viable agricultural products and provided additional income for women and farmers.

The fishery sector continued to exhibit positive increase in production with the municipal marine fishery accounting for 10,914.22 metric tons or 80.57% of the total production of 13,544.97 metric tons. Commercial fishery attained a production of 2,497.85 metric tons due to the increased numbers of more efficient fishing vessels and gear. Municipal inland fishery rebounded from last year’s short performance to contribute 132.90 metric tons production.

The Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR) assisted the local government through the distribution of Tilapia Carp and Bangus fingerlings to 17 inland-pond operators and 3 coastal pond owners. The mariculture park established in Brgy. Nabago and the marine fish sanctuaries in Brgys. San Isidro and Day-asan contributed further to the positive performance of the fisheries sector.

Livelihood assistance for marginal farmers was extended through the livestock dispersa and redispersal program. Cattle, goats and piglets were dispersed in different barangays in support to the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program of the Department of Agriculture. In addition, the city government availed of 15 heads of Murrah Buffaloes from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the City Science of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Male Breeders were dispersed to the different barangays in order to upgrade the local breeds and to increase production.

Due to the increasing volume of animals slaughtered, the city government purchased one (1) unit of Meat Delivery Van which has an animal capacity of 80 heads of hogs and 12 heads of large animals. This has greatly improved the delivery time of meat from the slaughterhouse to the public market.

EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
& INVESTMENT PROMOTIONS

A total of 3,374 business establishments were registered in 2008 reflecting a 14 percent increase over the previous year. Our efforts in creating an environment conducive to doing business may have contributed well in this increase, although the amount of total investments recorded for the year, reduced by 42% owing to the global economic downturn.

While a reduction in the amount of investments has been felt, it is worth noting that the number of jobs generated increase by 20% from 2,239 in 2007 to 2,683 in 2008. Such was realized with the increased employment in the services and manufacturing sector. The LGU through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), assisted no less than 13 licensed recruitments agencies and were able to refer 108 applicants for overseas employment. 25 applicants were deployed overseas and another 24 were placed for local employment. Continued implementation of the Summer Program for Employment of Students (SPES) also benefitted 138 students.

The Medium and Small Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program (MASICAP) MSME Development Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization, greatly assisted micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in the preparation of project feasibility studies and other pertinent loan documents, free of charge. The MASICAP Team was able to assist 26 projects for loan grant applications with a total cost of P45,741,970.85 and aggregate loan grant of P18,643,683.50.

Sustained image building activities and our partnership with the private sector in promoting a business-friendly environment continue to provide considerable gains. For three (3) consecutive biennial ranking periods from 2003, 2005 and 2007, our city continue to be among the top performing most competitive small city in the country in the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center.

For the last three (3) years we were recognized as among the most business-friendly cities in the country and this was made possible by pushing further continuing reforms and improvement in our front line services with the active cooperation of the local business sector and civil society organizations.

It should be worth mentioning that our city has already achieve a certain level of visibility both in the national and international scale. We hosted the visits of no less than two (2) high level dignitaries from G8 countries: Her Brittanic Majesty’s Ambassador Peter Beckingham of the United Kingdom last July 2008 and His Excellency Robert Desjardins, the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines last January of this year. The Papal Nuncio, the Ambassador of the City State of Vatican to the Philippines also visited our city last December, during the Centennial Celebration of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Tourist arrivals reached an all time high of 105,814 in 2008. The figures surpassed annual records of tourist arrivals in the last five (5) years from 2003 to 2007. This significant increase was attributed to the stable peace and order situation, improved tourism-related services and the aggressive promotional and marketing activities of the city government.

Through our collective effort, we were able to restore the availability of direct flights to and from Metro Manila and Cebu City which greatly contributed to the upsurge in tourist traffic.

The tourism industry generated a total of 1,763 jobs in 2007 while about 1,907 persons were employed in various tourism related establishments in 2008, reflecting an 8 percent increase. Tour operators, travel agencies as well as transport services contributed to the increase in jobs and employment.

The city government continued to provide support to sustain the celebration of annual events and traditional festivities. Among these were the “Suroy sa Surigao”; the Food Festival and Exhibit; the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karajaw Festival; and the “Tilaw sa Pagkaong Surigaonon”. This Food Festival and Exhibit gained 2nd Place Honors as the city’s official entry to the 3rd ATOP Best Tourism Practices Award – Culture and Arts Category. The said event earned national attention not only because of the promotional mileage that it provided to the tourism sector, but also because the event provided an opportunity for the Surigaonons to showcase their culinary expertise and skills in basic restaurant services.

In 2008, we also saw the election of our own tourism officer as the National President of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).


NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

In line with our thrust of protecting and preserving the environment and natural resources, the city government, through the Environment and Natural Resources Office coordinated with the academe in the conduct of massive clean-ups within the coastlines of Barangay Sabang, San Juan, Taft and Canlanipa. The city also initiated various mangrove planting activities in Barangay Sabang, Balibayon and Orok, in collaboration with the CENRO, PENRO, MGB, academe and non-government organizations.

The Mangrove Restoration Projects in Barangay Day-asan, Orok, San-Isidro, Nabago and Cabongbongan, which were funded by the Government of Japan under the NEDA-KR2 Program, were successfully turned-over to the barangay beneficiaries in October 2008. About 1.2 hectares of mangrove plantation per barangay were turned-over for its maintenance and sustainability.

Another project funded under the NEDA-KR2, the 50-hectare Reforestation Project at Parang-Parang Watershed, Barangay Mabini, was also formally turned-over to the Surigao Metropolitan Water District. The SMWD was tasked to maintain the planted 42,500 mahogany seedlings and 2,000 mango seedlings, as well as the nursery house and four (4) fire-watch towers.

WASTE MANAGEMENT & POLLUTION CONTROL

The construction of the Waste Treatment Facility, our banner project for solid waste management continued its construction during the year. Its over-all physical accomplishment at the end of 2008 was pegged at 86.62%.

The facility shall, in the long term, address the management of solid wastes not only in the urban barangays but in the entire 31 mainland barangays in the city, including the closure of the existing controlled dumpsite in compliance to RA 9003. In addition, the segregation, recovery and recycling of useful materials from the landfill shall be enhanced, and the conversion of biodegradable wastes into soil products shall be introduced at a larger scale.

The continued operation of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Canlanipa Homes sustained the reduced volume of garbage being disposed at the controlled dumpsite.

Several orientation-seminars lectures on ecological solid waste management were conducted from the level of schools, hospitals, business establishments, private entities organizations, government offices to the puroks and households.

The massive information drive particularly at the school level gave birth to the launching of “Brigada Basura Paglimpyu sa Ciudad Ta”, a school-based solid waste management initiative of eleven (11) public elementary and high schools in the City of Surigao advocating for the waste-segregation-at-source system; and making recyclable wastes as a source of an extra fund to augment some school projects. This initiative empowers the student leaders to oversee the proper ecological waste management in their respective schools.

2009 and ONWARDS

My dear Surigaonons, the accomplishments and the gains we have sustained will forever leave a mark in the history of our city. With more than one year left for this administration to take the helm of our city’s development, we have planned out and set the following targets for 2009 and beyond:

- The completion of the first phase development of the City Boulevard. Promenade development of the seaside shall be continued, as well as the continuing promotion of prospective investments in the area.

-Completion and operation of the Surigao Waste Treatment Facility. This is the banner project of my administration for solid waste management and the first one that will eventually operate in Mindanao, in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

-1st Phase development of the long-awaited City Public Cemetery. The necessity to relocate the overly congested existing public cemetery need not be further stressed and has long been overdue.

-ISO 9001 Certification for Quality Management System of our primary revenue generating functions like the Business Permits and Licensing System and Real Property Tax Administration. Such move for ISO accreditation is our strategic initiative to further institutionalize the gains we have achieved in reforming the said systems under the TAG Project.

-The swift passage of a Reward System for persons who can provide the needed information leading to the arrest of suspects who are engaged in all kinds of illegal activities from kidnapping, illegal drugs, theft and robbery, which has tainted the otherwise peaceful image of the city.

-The construction of the Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Anomar funded by the Department of Health.

-The installation of Solar Power Units to the island barangays including the street lights with funds coming from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

My term as your City Mayor is about to end. And I always feel that it is like finishing a book’s chapter I have always yearned to read. Some of the best moments in my life happened while serving as your City Mayor. These are the moments I felt so cared, so protected and so blessed by the Almighty beyond description. These are always the moments when all the inequities in this world were shrouded by the love of the people around me. These were the moments when I felt that our beautiful city is after all a better place to live in. And of course, these are the moments I will be eternally grateful.

Ending such a wonderful term fills me with nostalgia, but this is the only way I can begin another chapter and hopefully more chapters that God has designed for me. It is the only way I can collect more memories. It is the only wa I can share more of myself with others. It is the only way to have a deeper understanding of life. It is the only way I can fulfill the grand purpose that God has assigned to me from the day I was born.

Everything about the future is uncertain. But one thing is for sure. God had already arranged all our tomorrows. We just have to trust Him as He lead.

And as I end, we affirm our commitment to sustain the gains we have achieved so far, even as we move on to the next chapter of our city. We assure you that we will direct our strong political will, our energy, our minds and hearts towards the greater good of our city and the Surigaonons, under the greatest blessings of the Almighty.

God Bless My Beloved Surigao.
Marajaw na hapon dijo tanan.

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Germany is expected to provide a P1.31 million grant to the provincial government of Agusan del Norte to assist some 1,200 families that were heavily affected by natural disasters in early January, the German Embassy announced Wednesday.

German Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch is scheduled to hand over today a grant worth P1,312,200 (about 22,121 euros) to the provincial government of Agusan del Norte at the City Hall of Jabonga City, which will support the “Emergency Relief Operation in Caraga.”

It was gathered that the humanitarian assistance is funded by the German Embassy and will be implemented through its local partner, the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) and supported by the German Development Cooperation (GTZ).

The aid will provide necessary food assistance as well as non-food items including medicine, and to finance administrative costs including transportation to the devastated remote areas where services and assistance are difficult to avail, an embassy official said.

Among these areas are Esperanza, San Luis and Lapaz in Agusan del Sur; Jabonga and Tubay in Agusan del Norte; Soccoro Island, Mainit and Placer in Surigao del Norte; San Miguel and Carascal in Surigao del Sur.

The CCPD is composed of members from the religious sector, the government, non-government organizations (NGOs), indigenous peoples (IPs), the business sector, the academe and the media.

Representatives from these different sectors have come together for a common goal of genuine peace and holistic development.

It is also dedicated to an improved coordination of relief efforts for people affected by conflicts and calamities in Caraga Region. (CHARISSA M. LUCI, MB)
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Despite the ongoing global downturn, Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ largest domestic airline, carried 428,431 more passengers this year. In the first quarter of 2009, passengers carried by the airline totaled to 1,970,004, as compared to last year’s carriage of 1,541,573 for the same period. This is equivalent to a 28% growth.

For the first quarter of 2009, CEB’s domestic passenger base grew by 32 percent, 1,590,759, up from last year’s 1,205,327. CEB’s international passenger traffic also reached 379,245, from last year’s 336,246.

“We will continue to grow our domestic and international operations by adding frequencies and opening new destinations.” Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said. “We hope to encourage more Filipinos and foreigners to take CEB’s flights because of affordability, wide connectivity and convenient schedules.”

CEB’s continued fleet expansion and low fares are the main drivers of the company’s growth. The airline started 2009 with a fleet of 25 aircraft and took delivery of two brand-new Airbus A320 and two ATR 72-500 aircraft in the first quarter.

CEB added flights to 11 strong performing domestic destinations and five international cities including Shanghai, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It also opened four new domestic destinations and added four routes from its Cebu hub.

Iyog explained that CEB also broke its record of most passengers carried in a single day last March 30 when the airline carried a total of 27,740. The previous highest passenger carriage in a single day was last January 4 when the airline carried 25,987.

“Our efforts are geared towards making air travel even more accessible for everyJuan. The public can count on CEB as their partner in stimulating business and tourism, in all destinations we service” she concluded.

Now on its 14th year, CEB continues to have the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines, comprised of 11 Airbus A320, 10 Airbus A319, and eight ATR 72-500.
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The controversial Chinaman and Hong Kong multimedia writer Chip Tsao has apologized on television, admitting that he "had crossed the line" in his attempt to satirize Philippine-China claims over the disputed Spratlys in the South China Sea.

"I realized that I had crossed the line ...I now offer my public apology," Tsao said in an interview over Hong Kong's ATV television network on Tuesday evening.

This was relayed to the Philippines News Agency (PNA) by Assistant Secretary Ed Malaya, spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who said the program was monitored by the Philippine consulate-general (PCG) in Hong Kong. No other details of Tsao's interview were made available.

Tsao's personal TV apology followed that of his publisher's who, on Monday, apologized "unreservedly" and acknowledged that Tsao's March 27 column calling the Philippines "a nation of servants" was "politically incorrect."

Tsao belittled the Filipinos' capability to wage a dispute with China, satirizing it as practically a David vs. Goliath confrontation.

Amid the controversy, Beijing's political officer in Manila made it clear Philippine-China relations cannot be held back by the verbal scuffle.

Diplomat Li Yongsheng stressed that "everyone knows that the Chinese government and Chinese people have good feelings towards the Philippines and its people" and that Tsao is just by himself.

"We are on the way to stepping up our bilateral relations," the diplomat stressed.

Much earlier, China's new envoy to Manila, Liu Jianchao, emphasized that the Spratlys claims can be settled peacefully and amicably through diplomatic instruments, mainly by the "ASEAN Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea."

The PCG in HK, taking the cue from various sectors of Philippine society, led the campaign for Tsao's own apology and recantations of his condescending views of Filipinos.

It has also demanded that the apologies of the HK-based Asia City Publishing Group be published and featured prominently.

Philippine Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libmanan had already marked Tsao as an undesirable alien and will not allow his entry to the Philippines. As of press time, it is not clear if Libmanan would recall his decision now that Tsao has apologized.

In its apology addressed to the PCG, the publisher said "many people have read meanings into the column that were never actually intended..." and wish to apologize unreservedly for any offense that may have been caused by the column.

"HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community.

"We wish to assure our readers that we have nothing but respect for Filipinos, both living in Hong Kong and abroad." (PNA)
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