The Bonok-bonok Mardjaw Karadjaw contingent of Surigao City walked away victorious from this year's Sangyaw Festival after bagging the championship crown in the competition held Monday, June 29, 2009 in Tacloban City.

The Surigao City contingent brought with them P500, 000 as their winning prize. It was learned that prior to the competition, several contingents backed out upon learning that the Bonok-bonok festival of Surigao City joined the event.

In this year’s festival, the Banigan Festival from Basey, Samar was named as second prize winner with P300, 000 cash prize. The third prize winner was the festival from Santiago City in Isabela, the Pattaraday Festival: Araw ng Santiago, that won a P200,000 cash prize.

Also, special awards for Best in Musicality, Best in Costume, and Best in Street dancing all went to the Bonok-bonok Festival contingent.

Ms. Malou Tabal, City Tourism Officer of Tacloban in a radio interview extended her congratulations to the Surigao City contingent.

“Maganda talaga ang Bonok-bonok festival, the costumes are very very colorful. Deserving talaga ang Surigao. Congratulations.”

Tabal assured the Surigaonons that the city of Tacloban will also participate in the 2009 Bonok-bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival this coming September.

Meanwhile, Harold Antallan, choreographer of the Surigao City contingent thanked all the Surigaonons for their prayers.

“Sa tanan mga Surigaonon na nag-ampo sa amo kadaugan, salamat karajaw sa ijo tanan. (To all Surigaonons who offered prayer for our victory. Thank you very much),” Antallan said.

Tourists, neighboring townfolks and covering journalists were once again treated to a cultural festivity as Surigaonons showed off not only their rich culture but also their unique rhythm in Tacloban’s Sangyaw Festival 2009. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA RFU 13) and the local government unit here jointly launched recently the 3rd Bagsakan Center (BC) in Caraga Region located at Barangay 1.
Gracing the occasion were local officials of San Francisco led by Mayor Carl Elias Lademora, vendors association officers and members, farmers and staff from DA-RFU 13 led by AMAD OIC Servilla Balaan.

In order for the public to fully understand the project, Balaan shared the overview of the project while municipal vice mayor Bernardino Ursos warmly welcomed all the guests and visitors.

On his speech Mayor Carl Lademora expressed optimism that the project would greatly contribute to the economic plight of farmers as well as the residents of the area.

He urged farmers to deliver their produce directly to the Bagsakan Center to eliminate the unscrupulous middle men resulting to the soaring of farm prices sold to the end buyers.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jennny de Asis representing Governor Valentina Plaza on the other hand reiterated their commitment to fully support the agricultural sector of the province through the necessary legislation and funding.

To signal the formal start of the operation, Balaan awarded the Certificate to Operate to the LGU San Francisco as operator received by Mayor Lademora.

Two guests from Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) of DA Central Office visited the site after the launching to see for themselves on an actual operation of the project. The two AMAS staff was Jenny Torred, Barangay Bagsakan and Bagsakan Center (BB/BC) coordinator for Caraga and Jose Manta, AMAS Marketing Division Chief.

The Bagsakan Center (BC) in San Francisco is the 3rd in the entire region of Caraga. First was in Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur and followed by Cancohoy, del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte.

BC is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed to suppress hunger and malnutrition in the countryside through access of affordable and nutritious food supply. (Aurell P. Arais, RAFID-DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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Human sa pagrelis sa 20milyones ni DOH Secretary Francisco Duque para pagpaayo sa Siargao District Hospital sa lungsod sa Dapa. Laing pondo na usab ang gihatag nga nagkantidad ug 15milyones ka pesos para dugang sa maong proyekto pinaagi na sa opisina ni Kongresista Francisco Matugas sa unang distrito sa Surigao del Norte.

Sa pakighinabi ngadto sa Kongresista, siya nagkanayon nga aduna na usab lain nga 10milyones ang isunod pagrelis para sa Siargao District Hospital ug mokabat na ngadto sa 45 milyones ka pesos ang maangkon para sa maong hospital.

Sumala pa ni Kong. Matugas usa kini sa iyang paningkamot para ang mga pasyenti dili na moadto sa laing hospital sama sa pagtabok sa Surigao City. Usa usab sa katuyohan sa maong hospital para sa mga bisita sama sa turista ug uban pa. Tungod sa iyang nakita nga ang isla sa Siargao ginadayo sa mga langyaw.

Gitinguha sa kongresista nga mahimong moderno ang mga gamit sa maong hospital para ikapasigarbo ngadto sa mga bisita hilabina sa mga pasyenti sa distrito uno. (Surigao Balita)
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Dako ang kalipay sa tanang RPM-NFP o Responsible Parenting Movement – Natural Family Planning Advocates sa pag-abot nila sa opisina sa Gobernador niadtong miaging semana, dihang gisugat sila sa mga opisyales sa probinsya nga gipangunahan ni Vice-Governor Noel Catre

Ang maong grupo sa RPM-NFP nga nagsugod pa niadtong tuig 2007, mituyo ug bisita dinhi sa atong lalawigan arong pagsulong sa ilang adbokasiya pinaagi sa pagpahigayon sa ubay-ubay nga mga klase nga maghisgot sa mga tukma ug saktong pamaagi sa paggamit sa natural family planning method, pag-awhag sa mga inahan nga magpabreastfeed ug kung unsaon pagpalambo sa relasyon sa matag miyembro sa pamilya pinaagi sa gitawag nga responsible parenting nga pagahimuon sa matag barangay.

Dako usab ang kalipay sa mga miyembro sa maong organisasyon sa ilang nasayran nga daghan na nga mga managti-ayon ang mintambong ug mikooperar niining mga barangay classes nga ilang gipahigayon dinhi, ug ngani aduna nay grupo sa mga ginikanan o mga couples ang nahimo dinhi sa atong probinsya ug ilang gipaningkamutan nga modaghan pa ang mga miyembro niini aron nga kini mamahimong pederasyon.

Uban sa maong pagbisita mao ang Executive POPCOM Director nga si Mr. Tomas Osias, mga nagkadaiyang Regional Population Commission Directos ug usa ka RPM-NFP Group sa Tanay, Rizal.

Gipanghinaut sa pangagamhanan sa probinsya nga magpadayon ang gihatag nga dakong suporta sa mga katawhang Surigaonon sa maong programa aron nga ang matag pamilya makahatag gayud ug maayong kaugma-on diha sa ilang mga anak ug aron nga sila makaisatblisar sa usa ka malipayon ug hapsay nga panginabuhi-an. (PGO-Surigao del Norte Media Bureau)
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As of today, Center for Health Development Caraga reports one more laboratory confirmed influenza A(H1N1) case, bringing the total to two cases. These cases are now recovering and completing treatment in a designated referral center. This additional positive case is a nine year old female who is one of the close contacts of the first case.

Direct close contacts of these cases are still on quarantine and being monitored. So far, none of them manifested signs and symptoms of influenza except for the nine year old. We are continuing our surveillance in all communities particularly in schools.

We are reminding the public that the safest and effective way to prevent from getting sick with flu are practicing proper hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, strengthen body's resistance through eating nutritious food, having adequate sleep, regular exercise, drinking plenty of fluids, managing stress and avoid crowded places.

The total number Cases Under Observation (COU) for the region is 15. Of these, ten were negative, two positive for influenza A(H1N1) virus and three have pending laboratory results.

We reiterate to the public to be vigilant and comply with the precautionary measures recommended by DOH. If you have traveled from an affected country or have known contact with positive influenza A(H1N1) virus and develop flu-like symptoms (or TRANGKASO) such as fever, sore throat and cough, immediately consult a medical professional or call the DOH Hotline at (085) 225-3876 or 09204155590. (DOH-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
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FIVE new elementary-school buildings, constructed through assistance from Spanish government under its Improvement of the Quality of Primary Education (IQPE) program, were turned over by Spanish embassy official Miguel Angel Barba to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

Lapus said the new structures, which can withstand severe weather conditions, are the culmination of the second part of the bilateral agreement that aims to help improve access to quality education in the Bicol region and Caraga.

Under the program, five elementary schools in Caraga were constructed. Cahayagan is one recipient, and four other schools in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Siargao now have new classrooms.

Lapus emphasized the school buildings were constructed using the Principal-Led School Building Program.

“This project highlights the DepEd’s commitment to School-Based Management [SBM], which empowers school heads in decision-making and in efficiently managing schools,” Lapus added.

Through decentralized construction management, principal empowerment and active participation of the community, the recipient schools do not only have new classrooms, they also gain valuable experience in decentralization and SBM. Lapus said under the IQPE, initiatives to improve reading proficiency, school planning and operational efficiency are also addressed.

Through partnership with the Spanish government, selected schools and divisions in Bicol and Caraga have received beginning reading materials, reading standards and assessment tools, SBM grants worth P50,000 and training programs on Every Child a Reader Program and School Improvement Plan preparation, implementation and monitoring.

With the new classrooms, together with the learning tools, improved teaching strategies and strengthened management capabilities, students in the Caraga region are expected to improve in their academic performance. (Business Mirror)
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Kidney disease is on the rise here in Caraga Region based on the Department of Health Regional Office 2004 to 2008 statistics of patients who underwent dialysis treatment.
Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City posted the highest number at 36, followed by 31 from Miranda Hospital, 22 from Butuan Doctor’s Hospital and 21 in MJ Santos Hospital in Butuan.

Statistics showed that 63% are male patients, while 36% are female who are requiring dialysis for life in order to survive.

DOH said, often there are no symptoms until kidney disease reaches the later stages including kidney failure and as the country celebrates National Kidney Month this June with the theme “Kidneys are two — one to care, one to share,” health personnel intensified its campaign to create awareness among the populace through advocacy and networking to prevent the further rise in number.

DOH Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon said that early detection prevents chronic disease conditions and can be treated with medications and lifestyle changes.

“When the function of the kidney is compromised then it results in a variety of symptoms, particularly swelling of the hands and feet, frequent thirst, increased fatigue and sleepiness, decrease in appetite, poor growth, the passing of very small amounts of urine, unpleasant taste in the mouth and urine-like odor to the breath, pale skin, excessively dry, persistently itchy skin, shortness of breath, and a frequent urge to urinate”, added Dr. Gorgolon.

Kidney disease is the 10th leading cause of death in the Philippines. (Mindanao.com)
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The Honorable City Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra with City Agriculturist Isaias M. Elumba, led the formal turnover of the Kubota Farm Tractor M6800 70.9 hp which forms part of the P4.85 Million grant assistance from the Spanish Government through the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacionale (AECI) to the Surigao City Cassava Growers Multipurpose Cooperative on June 22, 2009.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) availed of a grant from the Government of Spain entitled “Strengthening the Agro-Industrial Sector in Bicol and Caraga (SAIS-BC)” to facilitate technology adoption and resource utilization in the said regions. The project focuses on the value adding of coconut, abaca, cassava, and pineapple and will include the following components: 1) establishment of processing facilities; 2) institutional development and capability building 3) marketing assistance; and 4) project management and monitoring.

The project was designed to involve concerned attached agencies of DA like the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) and the qualified LGUs, as implementing partners.

The DA through its Regional Field Unit No. XIII took the lead in the implementation of the project in the region with the overall supervision of the DA Central Office. (Karen Acero, surigaocity.gov.ph)
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Philex Mining Corp. is looking for oil opportunities abroad while focusing on mining here at home, according to its chief executive officer Walter Brown.

"We will remain to be a mining company with a small exposure in the energy field. We are focusing on local mining projects particularly Boyongan and Bayugo," he said at the company's annual stockholders' meeting on Wednesday.

Philex is spending P2.097 billion in 2009, up from last year's P1.469 billion, to operate its Padcal mine in Benguet and continue copper-gold exploration in Surigao del Norte, where its Boyongan and Bayugo properties are located.

In a related development, an oil and gas exploration company that is partly owned by Philex has completed initial drilling in Vietnam.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Pitkin Petroleum Plc said it has succesfully completed the drill stem testing of the Ca Rong Do (Red Emperor) discovery well on Block 07/03 in offshore Vietnam which yielded oil at a combined rate of 3,265 barrels of oil per day plus 8.1 million standard cubic feet of gas per day through a 48/64" choke.

For 2008, Philex reported a consolidated net income of P2.8 billion or P0.83 per share, its third-highest in 53 years of operation. (abs-cbnnews.com)
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With the prevailing peace and order condition of the area, the city government of Surigao requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial office to augment personnel assigned to the city.

In a recent City Development Council (CDC) general assembly, Councilor Danilo Menor, chairperson of CDC Development Administration Committee presented a resolution requesting the provincial PNP to recall all detailed PNP personnel whose mother unit is Surigao City, and to assign additional PNP personnel to augment the present number and meet the targeted police to population ratio for greater efficiency.

The resolution revealed that the current strength or number of police personnel assigned to the city in the past years does not meet the standard police to population ratio for small cities like Surigao with at least 1:1000.

P/Supt. Arthur Sanchez, PNP city director, also revealed that the present strength of the police personnel in the city is only 62.

Given the increase of population and urban development, the city requires that police personnel assignment be continuously upgraded to meet community demands.

Thus, Supt. Sanchez said that there is really a need for an additional deployment of personnel to reinforce police visibility in the other areas of the city for security purposes. (PIA)
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Puno sa kasadya ang mga BHWs sa dihang nadawat nila diha-diha dayun gikan kang Gov. Ace Barbers ang ilang gihandum nga usbaw sa ilang honorarium. Atol sa People’s Day sa San Francisco nga nagpadayon nga kalihukan ni G0v. Ace Barbers sa nagkalain-laing mga kalungsuran, gibutyag sa Gobernador nga pagadawaton na sa mga Barangay Health Workers ang ilang honorarium nga mokabat sa Php 250.00 gikan sa Php 200.00 matag bulan.

Gipaningkamutan gayud ni Gov. Ace Barbers uban sa Junta Probinsyal nga gipanguluhan ni Bise-Gobernador Noel P. Catre nga makahatag ug usbaw sa mga BHWs bisan pa sa kalimitado sa pondo sa probinsya, tungod kay na kita usab sa batan-ong Gobernador ang mga panginahanglanon sa mga Barangay Health Workers nga mao gayu’y direktang moatiman sa mga katawhan sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga barangay kalabut na sa ilang maayong panglawas.

Sa laing bahin, gipangitaan usab ni Gov. Ace barbers ug paagi nga iya usab mahatagan ug usbaw ang tanang Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) sa tibuok probinsya, kay susama sa mga BHWs, dako usab ang nahimo nga tabang sa mga BNS sa paghatag ug kalidad nga panirbisyo, labi na ang pagsiguro sa kahimsog sa mga lumulopyo labi na ang mga kabataan sa matag barangay.

Uban sa hiniusang paningkamot ni Gov. Ace Barbers, Vice- Gov. Noel P. Catre ug mga miyembro sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan, napanglantawan ni Gov. Ace nga mahatag gayud sa mga BNS ang iyang dakong tinguha nga mausbawan usab ang ilang honorarium. Dako ang pasalamat ni Gov. Ace Barbers sa nagmakanunayon nga pagdala sa mga BHWs ug BNS sa mga nagkadaiyang programa ug serbisyo sa mga kabarangayan ubos sa iyang pamunuan. (PGO- Surigao del Norte Media Bureau)
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Value-airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering a P286 one way ‘Go Lite’ fare for its Cebu hub flights to boost local tourism and trade amid the present economic slowdown.

The seat sale include flights from Manila to Cebu and Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumagete, Iloilo, Roxas, Siargao, and Zamboanga.

The promotional sale is for travel from July 15 to August 31, 2009. Sale is from June 24 to June 26.

‘Go Lite’ fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Passengers with check-in bags have to add P200 to the fare.

“Our seat sale supports the government’s efforts to stimulate economic activity by promoting tourism which in turn supports the various local industries that depend on tourism growth. Cebu Pacific’s trademark low fares will allow both foreign and local tourists access to the many destinations our country has to offer,” CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

CEB, which offers the widest connectivity from its Cebu hub to the rest of the country, flies to 20 domestic and four international routes from the Mactan Cebu International Airport. It operates a total of 228 weekly flights from Cebu.

Now on its 14th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines at an average of less than 1.9 years. It flies to 14 international cities across Asia and 31 domestic destinations using 21 Airbus aircraft and eight ATR aircraft.
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Napaabot gayud ni Gov. Ace Barbers ang dakong tinguha niini nga iyang madala suod sa katawhan labi na sa mga hilit nga mga kabarangayan ang pangagamhanan sa probinsya pinaagi sa mga nagkadaiyang panirbisyo sa nagpadayon nga People’s Day, diin kagahapong adlawa, Hunyo 18, 2009 didto si Gov. Barbers sa Lungsod sa Malimono.

Uban usab sa Gobernador si Vice-Gov. Noel P. Catre, SP Members ug mga Department Heads. Sa maong kalihukan, nakita sa mga katawhan ang tiunay nga paghatag ug dekalidad nga panirbisyo sa pangagamhanan ubos sa liderato ni Gov. Barbers. Gibati usab sa mga lugsuranon ang paghatag kanila ug dakong bili ug pagtagad ni Gov. Ace, labi na nga gituyuan gayud sila sa pag-adto aron matino ang ilang kahimtang, uban ang mga opisyales sa probinsya ug mga Dapartment Heads alang sa ilang tanan nga mga gikinahanglan ug mga suliran kalabot sa ilang lungsod ug barangays.

Dako usab ang kalipay sa mga Barangay Health Workers sa usbaw sa ilang allowance nga gihatag ni Gov. Barbers, mga Barangay Kapitanes uban ang ilang mga opisyales nga nakapadayag sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga hangyo ug sa ilang nadawat nga financial assistance, mga Senior Citizens, ug uban pang katawhan nga nakatagamtam sa libre nga medical mission nga may pagpanuli, dental, X-ray ug laboratory exams, papsmear sa mga kababainhan, libreng tambal ug konsultasyon, nahatagan sa mga Philhealth cards, food packs, palay & vegetable seeds, organic fertilizers ug pati usab sa mga deworming drugs alang sa mga kahayupan.

Gikalipay usab ni Gov. Ace Barbers ang mainiton nga pagdawat kanila sa mga lumulopyo sa Lungsod sa Malimono tungod sa gidaghanon sa mga tawo nga mintambong sa maong talagsaon ug mapahimuslanong kalihukan. Gipanghinaut sa Gobernador nga unta kining maong mga higayon makahatg ug dugang kadasig ug inspirasyon diha sa tanang katawhang Surigaonon aron sa ingon nga sila usab makahatag ug tabang nga bisan pa sa ginagmay, makatampo gihapon sa mga mas nanginahanglan nilang mga kaigsuonan. (PGO- Media Bureau)
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Puno sa kasadya ug malampuson nga gisaulog sa katawhang Surigaonon ang usa ka makabuluhanong selebrasyon sa ika-49 nga Adlaw Nan Surigao del Norte niadtong adlaw nga biyernes, Hunyo 19, 2009 didto sa Kapitolyo diin saa makausa pa, nagpakita na usab sa tiunay nga pakighiusa ug suporta ang pipila ka mga opisyales sa kalungsuran sa probinsya.

Ang mga maabtik nga mga local nga opisyales nga sila Vice-Mayor Alejandro Biñan sa Lungsod sa Malimono ug Vice-Mayor Nazario Gastardo sa San Francisco nga maoy mga gipasidunggang bisita atol na sa maong kasaulogan, usab nakighiusa sa gipahigayon nga Family Day nga pinangulohan ni Gov. Ace Barbers ubansa iyang kaabag sa panirbisyo, Vice-Governor Noel P. Catre.

GIkalipay sa tanang mga mintambong sa Family Day, hilabi na gayud ang mga kabataan ang ubay-ubay nga mga kalingawan ug parlor games sama sa Trip to Capitol ug Videoke Singing Contest alang sa mga managti-ayon ug pati na usab ang Hep-Hep Hurray para sa mga kabatan-onan nga giandam sa Human Resource Management & Development Office ubos na sa pagpangulo ni Mrs. Marnita Uberita.

Ang mga migawas nga mga mananog nagpakadawat sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga gift packs nga gitunol mismo sa Gobernador.

Dako ang pasalamat ug kalipay ang gibati ni Gov. Ace barbers sa kamadasigon ug sa koopersayon nga gipakita sa tanang empleyado uban ang mga Dept. Heads ug mga opisyales sa probinsiya. Siya usab nanghinaut nga ang maong panaghiusa molahutay unta dili lamang sa karon nga mga higayon kung dili hangtud sa umaabot pa nga mga kalihukan dinhi sa atong dapit. (PGO-Media Bureau)
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At least nine areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 early Tuesday after an active low pressure area (ALPA) in the Visayas intensified into tropical depression "Feria."

Under Signal No. 1 were Samar provinces, Leyte provinces, Camotes Islands, Biliran Island, Northern Cebu, Bohol, Dinagat Island, Siargao, and Surigao del Norte.

"Residents living in low-lying areas and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flashloods and landslides," the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 5 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said tropical depression "Feria" was estimated at 210 km east southeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 4 a.m.

But Pagasa forecaster Elvie Enriquez said this will bring little "relief" to residents in Metro Manila, who she said will continue to experience humidity.

"Maalinsangan, 33.4 degrees Celsius ang ating pinakamainit na temperatura. May bagyo tayo nakakadagdag ng alinsangan. Lalong umaalinsangan, ang tinatawag nating humidity. Ang ating relative humidity is 94 percent," she said.

[We expect temperatures in Metro Manila to go up to 33.4 degrees Celsius. And the weather disturbance will bring more humidity, up to 94 percent.]

Pagasa forecast "Feria" to move west northwest at 15 kph.

"Eastern Visayas will experience rains and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. The rest of the Visayas, Southern Luzon and Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," it said.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening, it added.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be slight to moderate.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to northwest with slight to moderate seas. - GMANews.TV
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Now the tables are turned! One of the city’s biggest barangay, Taft and neighboring Arellano district has been conquered. Soft spoken mayoralty candidate Engr. Nitoy Matugas duplicated last Saturday June 13th, the same but more meaningful victory in Brgy. Washington a week earlier of Brgy. Captain Jun Edradan.

Matugas supported candidate for the Surneco Board Mario Gesta literally shut out the Barbers bailiwick in Brgy. Washington winning over Brgy. Capt. Julito Gohil in an election that was the acid test of political powerplay in District II.

Based on official count, Gesta garnered a score of 2,449 votes, while Gohil got only 1,710 of the total votes cast of 4,167 from a registered voter of 8870 in Surneco District II. Observers said Matugas triumph over Barbers in Brgy. Taft, proved beyond doubts the Barbers bailiwick for decades has now fallen into Nitoy’s hands. There were charges of vote buying going as high as P200 per voter but ironically both sides were involved in the so called vote buying.

The victory of Nitoy’s handpick candidates in District I and District II also reflected the well oiled machinery and teamwork of Matugas allies in the field under the baton of strategist Baby Ma. Prior to the election last Saturday, it was learned that the Matugas camp had prepared for their mobility and coordination in the barangays where pumpboats and motorcycles had been placed on ready.

The loss of the Barbers candidate in Barangay Taft dealt a big blow to the reputation of the area as their stronghold.

Henceforth, many predict that the likes of the election in 2010 will tell the same story in the encounter between Matugas and Barbers for City Mayorship. (Agusan-Surigao Enquirer)
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A ranking official of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in the Caraga said Saturday politicians were behind the unabated smuggling of minerals out of the region.

Philip Placer, PASG director for Caraga, said this was what came out of the PASG’s continuing investigation of mineral smuggling in the region, which is composed of the mineral-rich provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat.

Dubbed as the country’s new mining capital, Caraga reportedly holds half of Mindanao’s mineral deposits. It is touted to have $2 billion worth of gold deposits, and huge deposits of nickel and chromium ores.

“Politicians were behind the mineral smuggling activities in our region,” Placer said.

He said the politicians, who he declined to identify, were the main reason the “highly organized smuggling rings” continue to thrive.

Placer said PASG agents continue to gather more evidence against the politicians amid threats.

The smuggling rings, he said, were clever enough to use small-scale and large scale mining firms as dummies to avoid detection.

“At least 20 small-scale mining firms all over the region with known ties to politicians have been under investigation for suspected mineral smuggling to Japan, Australia, China and India,” he said.

Placer said the PASG is zeroing in on the provinces of Dinagat and Agusan del Norte because these have recorded the highest number of smuggling cases.

“Practically, mineral smuggling exists in all five Caraga provinces but the operations were most rampant in the provinces of Dinagat and Agusan del Norte,” he said.

Placer said the government has already lost millions of pesos in revenues due to the illegal transport of highly priced minerals such as gold, copper, manganese, chromite and nickel ores out of the country.

“Livelihood and income generation-wise, the mining industry helps but the taxes and revenues for the government coffer were very meager. Out of 100 percent expected revenue, only 25 percent goes to government coffers because of smuggling,” he said.

Placer said PASG expects smuggling to intensify as politicians look for funds to bankroll their campaign for next year’s elections. (Franklin M. Caliguid, inquirer.net)
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The Department of Health (DOH), Caraga Region, confirmed 1st case of A(H1N1) virus in the region.

This was learned from DOH-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Leonita Gorgolon, in a phone-patch interview with dxBR-Bombo Radyo Butuan this morning.

According to Dir. Gorgolon, the confirmed A(H1N1) case comes from a four- year old boy and has history of travelling abroad. "In fact, the boy came from Hongkong and arrived here in the region on June 13", Gorgolon said.

Also, Ms. Sunshine Alipayo of DOH-Caraga said in a phone-patch interview with PIA this morning, that the family coordinated with their office upon seeing signs and symptoms the boy has manifested.

Immediately, DOH-Caraga referred the boy having been suspected to have the virus to its referral hospital in Davao City – the Davao Medical Hospital. "Just last night (June 19), the result came out and was found positive," Gorgolon said.

As of press time, Alipayo said the immediate contacts of the boy were already under the treatment process to avoid the virus from spreading.

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, June 19, DOH reported that the total count of positive cases in the country already reaches 344.

However, Health Sec. Francisco Duque said "all of these 344 confirmed cases were mild in nature, both those who are currently under treatment and those who have been sent home."

Duque also said that most of the 344 confirmed cases are from Metro Manila (National Capital Region) with 234 (68%), Central Luzon (Region III) with 45 (13%), and CALABARZON (Region IV-A) with 31 (9%).

Duque also noted that in the National Capital Region, most cases came from Quezon City (81 or 34%), Manila (44 or 18%), Parañaque (21 or 9%) and Makati (15 or 6%).

Duque said the age range of these cases is from 1 to 76 years old, with 18 as the median age. He also said that most of the cases belonged to the 15-24 years age group (171 or 50%). He said that majority of cases were male (187 or 54.4%).

To date, World Health Organization (WHO) officially reported 93 countries worldwide with laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States. The virus is spreading from person-to –person, probably in much the same way that the regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Similar to a regular flu, A(H1N1) virus have symptoms of fever, headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomitting or nausea, and diarrhea.

The virus' mode of transmission is exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected person. Influenza A(H1N1) is not transmitted by eating thoroughly cooked pork.

With these developments, DOH calls on the public to observe proper hygiene, avoid going to places with mixed crowd, and report immediately to their regional offices nationwide should signs and symptoms are seen on any individuals especially those who have history of travelling abroad.

Among the preventions advised by DOH include: cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, always wash hands with soap and water, use alcohol- based hand sanitizers, avoid close contact with sick people, increase your body's resistance, have at least 8 hours of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids; and eat nutritious food. (PIA-Caraga)
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In recent years, ‘Adlaw Nan Surigao ‘ (foundation day of Surigao ) has been officially celebrated by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte on June 19 which has been declared as a holiday. Many didn’t bother or care to find out whether or not this is indeed the date during which Surigao was created as a province, thus making it red – letter day in our history. But some, especially those who know and revere the province’s glorious and storied past, have been asking: “Is that so ?” What are, if any, its historical, traditional and legal bases?

There’s bound to be some discussion and not without passion on this matter which is decidedly not a trivial one because it involves no less than the precise moment of the founding of Surigao as a province, functioning thereafter as a political subdivision with working and viable structures of governance. Elsewhere, a significant event like this was determined so that it can be celebrated officially and publicity only after a thorough and exhaustive research. Needless to say, our efforts here in this regard have been barely cursory. But better late than never. We can save ourselves valuable time spent on idle debate by simply reading historical records and accounts. Let the facts therefore speak and not something else that betrays our historical apathy and ignorance.

The basis for the celebration of Adlaw Nan Surigao’ is R.A. 2786 which was authored by the late Congressman Reynaldo P. Honrado, then the lone representative of the undivided province of Surigao. This was passed into law when the President Diosdado Macapagal signed it on June 19,1960. Another law of local application R.A. 7553, authored by Rep. Glenda B. Ecleo, subsequently declared June 19 as a holiday only in Surigao del Norte. i.e. Adlaw Nan Surigao del Norte. R.A. 2786 merely divided however the old Surigao into two provinces, namely: Surigao del Norte and Del Sur. Then as now, the decapitation by legislation of a province is known by the odious name of gerryman-deering after a certain Congressman Gerry in the U.S.A. who split his district for political ends.

From the very names of the new provinces, it is quite obvious that the original, mother province of Surigao was already in existence long before. Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and even Agusan Norte and Del Sur are merely offsprings of Surigao, one of the largest provinces in the country during that era. Otherwise, where would Surigao del Norte and Del Sur get their names? If at all, only Surigao del Norte here and Surigao del Sur over there in the South officially came into being their new set the establishment of the first politico – military government in Mindanao. Six districts or provinces under this new government set – up were created one of which was the Eastern District or Surigao, the others being: Zamboanga, Northern District (Cagayan/Misamis), Davao, Central District and Basilan. A portion of another Royal decree referring to the establishment of this system of governance in Mindanao reads.

“In order to and parts of Gingoog to the West has over the years been slowly and predictably divided through “gerryman-dering “ until it has become almost invisible in the map. After Surigao del Norte and Del Sur, in less than 50 years, we now have the new province of Dinagat. What’s next? Siargao province?

It is worth pointing out that Surigao as we knows it today is a product of a slow and gradual evolution first as a religious and military that time however Surigao was not governed as a political subdivision. The reason why Surigao, now a city, the principal town of the province became its capital is its proximity to Cebu and Ozamiz where the Spanish government had military and naval fortification for its defense. Tandag, the former capital, was located far in the south along the Pacific Ocean and was repeatedly attacked and sacked, by the Moros and could not be defended easily and of local officials on June 19,1960. AS many would point out later, right or wrong, the move was intended to prolong Honrado’s stay in Congress since he expected to be politically dominant in Surigao del Norte this time with a smaller population and area without the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid and Lanuza (CARCANMADLAN) where his hold was said to be tenuous. Quite ironically, it was Governor Constantino C. Navarro who became the first Congressman of Surigao del Norte. Honrado became instead the first Judge of the Court of First Instance of the new province of Surigao del Sur.

So when did the old province of Surigao officially come into being or precisely when was it originally established like for instance Manila which also celebrates every years its ‘Araw ng Maynila’?

Historical accounts show that on June 30,1859, a Royal Decree was issued by the Queen of Spain for forestall any doubt that could possibly arise in connection with the implementation of article 13 of the Royal Decree of June 30, 1859 about the establishment of government in the Island of Mindanao…”

A Royal Decree was the law at that time. Therefore, it is by force of law that Surigao was created on the date mentioned. This being so, the original, undivided Surigao would be some 149 years old now as a province and not barely 48 years old if we reckon her age from 1960 which is actually the birth of Surigao del Norte with very little historical past to look back and many of those who were born here 50 years ago asking in disbelief if they can still call themselves Surigaonons now.

Quite sadly enough, as we have predicted, Surigao whose jurisdiction and land area originally included Agusan del Norte, Del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Del Sur, up to the towns of Caraga. Baganga, Catyeel etc. now under Davao Oriented in the South outpost to what is known as ‘reducciones’ or settlements that have been reduced or Christianized by the missionaries. Earlier, "Surigao was an encomienda in 1571, granted as such by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi to Pedro Navarro and Garcia Sierra Chacon" who were allotted all "the rivers and villages of Surigao and Parasao (Cantilan)”. Thereafter it became a religious military district administered by the clergy and the military. In 1751,we already had a map of the province of Caraga drawn by Francisco Alegre. This would soon be officially known as Distrito del Surigao. In December 6,1792 and May 5,1797 we already find letters to the Governor General from Alcalde M. Rivera and Juan Hipolito Gonzales, Alcalde Mayor, respectively of Surigao, capital of the province of Caraga dealing on the establishment of a military garrison against the moros in Baganga and the Southern part of the distrito or province. At “Ericson de Peublos Caraga/Surigao .” In the end, however, it is our people who will decide which day to celebrate: the birth of the mother province or that of the new- born offspring- Surigao del Norte. If they want Surigao to be a postwar creation of gerrymandering barely 48 years old or one with 149 years of colorful existence and plenty of historical legacies is entirely up to them.

Let it be noted however that in celebrating adlaw nan Surigao reckoned from the issuance of the royal Decree in 1859 we would gain added significance and some measure of pride as a province. It will show our cultural and historical ascendancy in the whole region of modern Caraga since our’s would be the oldest province here having supplanted the old Distirto del Caraga which became Distrito del Surigao with the town of Surigao (now Surigao City) as the Capital of the province which included at that time Butuan, Agusan (del Norte and Del Sur) and Surigao( Del Norte and Del Sur). The regional center of modern-day Caraga is now Butuan City. It defies One’s imagination by what calamity Surigao and the rest of its towns have became much younger than those of the two Agusans all of whom were once part of Surigao. That would indeed be the heinous consequence if we continue to celebrate ‘Adlaw Nan Surigao del Norte” which is generally known and mistaken for ‘Adlaw Nan Surigao.”


(repost from Surfing Surigao Newspaper)

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The present administration is now in full gear for the rehabilitation and construction of new seaports to provide convenient transport facilities to domestic and foreign tourists in the country.

In Siargao, having been known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) – Port Management Office in Surigao bared several port projects in Surigao del Norte slated for expansion or rehabilitation.

These include the rehabilitation of causeway in the port of Sta. Monica in Siargao Island, a six hundred (600) meters long and six (6) meters wide concrete Causeway project amounted to P40Million. It was reported that some portions of the causeway were already damaged as evidenced by massive cracks.

Another is the construction of new port in Pilar town in Siargao Island with a total estimated budget of P30Million. The scope of work covers the construction of wharf and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area and a drainage system plus port lighting system.

Dredging of channel (waterway) in the port of Del Carmen, municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte amounted to P50 Million. Re-channeling of waterway in Brgy. Consolacion in Dapa amounted to P3Million. Another dredging of channel (waterway) in Dapa port amounted to P38Million.

Still in Dapa, the construction of new port in Brgy. Jubang amounted to P75 Million. It covers the construction of wharf and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area and a drainage system plus port lighting system.

After hearing the news about the new port project currently undertaken by PPA in Brgy. Jubang, Aling Nita Libay of Brgy. Jubang could not help but express her gratitude to the Arroyo administration for the support they have given.

"I believe these port projects in Siargao will have a big impact especially here in our barrio," Aling Nita said adding that the project is a tool for the community’s development.

Meanwhile, Sixto Virtudazo in Pilar town believed that with the proposed construction of the new port in the game fishing capital, it is now easier for the local and foreign tourists to reach them.

“Mahayahay na isab karajaw an amo pagkadto sa Surigao kun magdaya kami nan mga butang didto. Salamat karajaw sa ini na proyekto. (It is also easier for us to reach Surigao City if we bring goods there. Thank you very much for this project)," he said.

Indeed, even local officials here are confident that with the construction and rehabilitation of these ports and terminal facilities, traveling to these seaports is now convenient not just to the local and foreign tourists but also to the people living in the area. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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In line with the development of the Sunflower Bio-diesel project in the country, the Surigao del Norte Alliance of Cooperatives (SUDENACO) is encouraging local agri-cooperatives to engage into Sunflower production to provide them additional income.

SUDENACO Gen. Manager Leopoldo Lugo said they have successfully conducted a seminar on Sunflower production last June 12 in line with the celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Day to farmers and cooperatives in the province.

The seminar was conducted by the Cooperative Union of the Philippines in coordination with the Provincial Cooperative Union and SUDENACO wherein some 40 participants were able to attend the said activity.

It was learned that this project falls under the Integrated Improvised Crop Farming System. Under such system, the coops will manage the farms in a professionally and systematic manner and own the processing farms at the same time, thus sparing the burden of farmers being exploited. The good news here, according to Lugo is that Land Bank of the Philippines agreed to fund the Sunflower Bio-diesel project.

He said coops can expect profit for about P78, 000.00 or more per hectare in just 105 days time. With this, coops can have it planted three (3) times a year.

Lugo also revealed that participants of the recently conducted seminar will be prioritized by Land Bank to avail of loan amounted to P33, 000.00 per hectare.

With this project, Lugo is optimistic that this is in time to provide additional employment for the agri-coop members especially in the middle of a global financial crisis.

Viewing sunflower as energy source, it can do wonders in helping reduce the country’s demand for fossil fuels with a highly progressive outlook.

It was also learned that the development of sunflower production equally translates into high employment potentials while creating that happy balance towards food sufficiency and energy independence. There are also potentials for creating agri-tourism, whereas visitors can get a hands-on feel on how sunflower is processed into various derivatives, right at the locales where these take place. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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In a bid to strengthen trade and tourism through the sea transport sector in Siargao Island and Surigao City, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) – Port Management Office in Surigao informed that eight (8) port projects in Surigao del Norte have slated for expansion or rehabilitation.

In a recently held Provincial Development Council meeting, PPA disclosed the recently approved PPA plans and programs for the province.

These include the rehabilitation of causeway in the port of Sta. Monica in Siargao Island, a six hundred (600) meters long and six (6) meters wide concrete Causeway project amounted to P40Million. It was reported that some portions of the causeway were already damaged as evidenced by massive cracks.

Another is the construction of new port in Pilar town in Siargao Island with a total estimated budget of P30Million. The scope of work covers the construction of wharf and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area and a drainage system plus port lighting system. The scenic coastal town of Pilar is now known to the world as the Gamefishing capital of the Philippines.

Construction of new port in Brgy. Jubang, Dapa, Surigao del Norte amounted to P75 Million. It also covers the construction of wharf and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area and a drainage system plus port lighting system. Also, re-channeling of waterway in Brgy. Consolacion in Dapa amounted to P3Million.

Still in Dapa, is the dredging of channel (waterway) in Dapa port amounted to P38Million and a another dredging of channel (waterway) in the port of Del Carmen, municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte amounted to P50 Million.

Meanwhile, projects in Surigao City include the construction of exit gate and guardhouse at the newly completed expansion project of the Surigao Base port known as the Verano port amounted to P3.10Million and the expansion of Lipata port in Brgy. Lipata amounted to P309 Million. The Lipata port expansion includes wharf extension and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area, drainage and lighting system.

Local officials here are very confident that with the construction and rehabilitation of these ports and terminal facilities, traveling to these seaports is now convenient to local and foreign tourists especially in the island of Siargao.

These constructions and rehabilitations are also significant in the tourism industry to meet the projected increase in the number of passengers in the coming years.
Early this year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated the newly expanded Verano Port last April 15, 2009.This P414-million expanded port, named after former Senator Felixberto Verano of this city, has helped address the needs of the flourishing tourism and mining industry, including the ferrying of mining equipment used by the different mining firms in the province. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


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At least 3,000 local government officials in the region, including village leaders, teachers and other officials of various line agencies of the government are scheduled to troop to the paradise island of Siargao to attend the 1st Siargao Local Governance and Education Summit early next month.

Officials said the aim of the summit is to help President Arroyo’s economic and development programs in the island.

Most of the discussions during the slated the summit will also focus on local governance of the mayors and the welfare of the teachers and the people of Siargao, and mainland Surigao City, said Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco T. Matugas.

The summit will be held at the newly constructed P46 million Dapa Convention Center where Mayor Peter “Boy” Ruaya will be the host on July 15.

Matugas already poured in some P20 million for the rehabilitation of the said convention center.

Invited guests and keynote speakers during the summit include Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Matugas said.

Other topics to be discussed during the summit is the concern of every village, schools in far-flung areas and establishing of new police station buildings, where the nine mayors will also present several resolutions addressed to Puno during the affair, he said.

In that summit, officials of the various local government units along with other officials from line agencies of the government will also review the current Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency and Employment Program (CLEEP) of the government, it was gathered. (Manila Bulletin)
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A major political realignment due revival of decades-old rivalries among dominating political families that might stir loyalties and affiliation of local politicians is one hundred percent possible for the May 2010 local elections in Caraga Region.

Former Agusan del Sur Provincial Administrator and Board Member Tyrone “Power” Calo confirmed to this writer that businessman Roberto “Bob” Aquino, son of former Agusan Congressman Jose C. Aquino, Sr. is definitely running for Congress representing first congressional district of Agusan del Sur.

Calo admitted he is working as official spokesperson for businessman Bob Aquino.

Aquino is brother of current Butuan City Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino, II of Lakas.

Current Agusan del Sur Governor Maria Valentina Plaza also has reportedly announced interest in running for Congress representing Agusan del Sur’s first district.

Plaza is daughter of late and legendary Agusan del Sur leader, former Governor and Congressman Democrito Otaza Plaza , Sr..

The late Agusan Congressman Jose C. Aquino, Sr or JCA as he is fondly called is political rival of the late Agusan del Sur Governor Democrito Otaza Plaza, Sr. also fondly called by his supporters and friends as “D.O. or Monting”.

Ironically, the two legendary political leaders engaged in logging business in the ‘60’s before joining politics

Surviving rival of the two legendary leaders is current Agusan del Norte Rep. Edelmiro Atega Amante. Amante, former Executive Secretary of Ramos Administration is father of incumbent Agusan del Norte Erlpe John Amante and former Governor and Congresswoman Maria Angelica Rossdell Amante-Matba.

Under KAMPI political partty, the lady Amante but lost to incumbent Mayor Democrito “Boy Daku” Plaza, II of Lakas-CMD in a tightly contested Butuan City Mayoralty race in 2007 elections. Plaza is son of legendary D.O. Plaza

Another old Plaza political rival, former Agusan del Sur Rep. Ceferino Paredes has also confirmed running against a Plaza bet, this time, for the second congressional district of Agusan del Sur.

Reportedly Paredes and Bob Aquino teamed up for one political party against the Plazas.

But adding to the political twist is the reported plans of incumbent Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza to run for Governor in Agusan de Sur, this time, allegedly against his own younger brother, former Agusan del Sur Governor Eddie Bong Plaza who is also former PAGCOR Vice President for Social Services.

The former Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward “Eddie Bong” Plaza earlier told this writer he is set to run for Governor, a seat he left three years ago in favor for his younger sister Maria Valentina , in the May 2010 elections.

He denied runors he is running for Agusan del Norte Governor.

On the other hand, Plaza’s brother, ithe ncumbent Agusan del Sur solon allegedly only responded to the clamor of the people in Agusan del Sur for leadership change. Plaza who authored many laws and pursued many infra and livelihood projects in Agusan del Sur is reportedly to be teamed up with businessman Roberto “Bob” Aquino and former Agusan del Sur Rep. Ceferino Paredes.

Although the Agusan del Sur solon has not personally confirmed yet his political plans, his close allies supporters and group were allegedly slowly working for him in answering the people’s clamor for political change.

He is also the son of the late Agusan del Sur Governor and Congressman Democrito Otaza Plaza , Sr. Their mother is former Agusan del Sur Governor Valentina Plaza.

VGP as she is fondly called by her avid supporters, chaired the Caraga Regional Development Council or RDC.

In Surigao del Norte, the once administration party stalwarts in the province, incumbent Governor Robert Ace Barbers and his brother, former Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers have allegedly resigning their fate over LAKAS-KAMPI merger and were allegedly contemplating to finally sealed their deal and full support to Nacionalista Party Presidential standard bearer Senator Manny Villar.

The two politically influential sons of late former Lakas-CMD national vice president and administration Senator Robert “Bobby” Barbers were conspicuously absent in the May 28, 2009 LAKAS-KAMPI convention held at the Manila Hotel.

Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra who is Surigao City Lakas Party Chair and a staunch Barbers’ ally attended the Manila Hotel event.

Matugas’ brother, real estate developer and millionaire Engineer. Ernesto Matugas is reportedly making a political comeback and to run again as Surigao City Mayor in 2010 elections. Matugas was defeated by Casurra in the 2007 City Mayoralty race.


Intense political rivals of the Barbers, two incumbent Surigao del Norte congressmen, Representatives Francisco Matugas (KAMPI-Surigao del Norte first district) and Guillermo Romarate, Jr. (KAMPI-2nd district of Surigao del Norte) are now allegedly preparing their own set of local bets despite of the merger.

This reportedly irked local supporters of the Barbers which has its own local political line ups in the local level for the 19 municipalities of Surigao del Norte.

The Matugas-Romarate group also claimed the Barbers group were also preparing their own set of political line ups in the municpalities.

The situation further aggravated the already tense local political situation of Surigao del Norte after the Barbers’ political rival Congressman Francsico Matugas was elected as National Vice President for Mindanao by the Lakas-Kampi merger.

Allegedly majority of the Municipal Mayors of Surigao del Norte have aligned themselves to the closely knitted Matugas-Romarate group while some remained to be solid with the Barbers camp.

Former Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers is reportedly eyeing the Surigao City Mayoralty seat, a seat to be left by three termer City Mayor Alfonso Casurra. while brother Governor Robert Ace is seeking re-election for Governor.

While Matugas’ wife, Dep-Ed Regional Director Dr. Sol Matugas who hails from tourism haven Siargao Island is eyeing the congresional post of Siargao while husband Rep. Francisco Matugas is set to run for Surigao del Norte Governor, a seat he left before becoming the first Siargao Island solon.

Majority if not all politicians of Caraga Region were curent administration’s political allies belonging under political parties, Lakas-CMD, KAMPI and adminstration side Nationalist People’s Coalition or NPC.

Only the camp of former Butuan City Rep Charito Booc Plaza and businessman Engr. Sergio Pascual who arn but lost in the tightly contested Butuan Mayoralty race belonged to the United Opposition Party. (mindanao.com)
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Air Philippines (AirPhil), the low-cost carrier of the Lucio Tan Group, will soon fly to Surigao as it turns over its Ozamiz City operations on June 16, 2009 to its sister company, Philippine Airlines (PAL).

AirPhil decided to leave Ozamiz after observing the city's rapid economic expansion that requires bigger aircraft to accommodate the growing volume of air travelers and cargo.

With PAL's return to Ozamiz after an absence of 11 years, travelers will enjoy PAL's full-service amenities on ground and onboard its brand-new Airbus A319-100 aircraft. This includes PAL's exclusive Mabuhay class where passengers are served hot meals during the one-hour-25-minute flight from Manila and vice versa.

Meanwhile, AirPhil will start daily jet service between Manila and Surigao starting July 1, 2009. Flights from Manila will depart 8:45 am, arriving Surigao at 10:15 am. The return flight leaves Surigao airport at 10:45 am and lands in Manila 12:15 pm. AirPhil operates at the new Terminal 3.

PAL's daily flights to Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental leaves Manila at 11:45 am and departs Ozamiz for Manila at 1:50 pm. Passengers holding Air Philippines tickets for Ozamiz will be accommodated on PAL flights and are advised to check-in at NAIA Terminal 2. Likewise, well-wishers can meet passengers from Ozamiz in Terminal 2, where PAL operates all its fights.

AirPhil is yielding its lucrative Ozamiz market to PAL for the greater convenience of its loyal patrons. Passengers welcomed the move as they look forward to PAL's safe, reliable and value-for-money service. (PAL)
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Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering a seat sale for its international destinations from June 17 to 19, 2009, for travel from August 1 to September 30, 2009.

“Despite economic uncertainties, the public can continue to be assured of our commitment to offer the lowest possible fares on international routes operated,” Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution, said.

CEB is offering a P988 one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare for its Clark to Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, and Manila to Kota Kinabalu services.

The airline is also offering a one-way P1,388 fare from Manila to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou and Shanghai; and from Cebu to Singapore and Hong Kong.

‘Go Lite’ fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Travelers with check-in bags have to add P200 to the fare. International fares are exclusive of government taxes.

Now on its 14th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It flies to 15 international cities across Asia and 32 domestic destinations.
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Sa gihimo nga Provincial Development Council Meeting (PDC) dili pa lang dgay, mihimo ang maong konseho sa resolusyon sa pagpangulo ni Gov. Ace Barbers alang na sa mga proposed projects nga pagahimuon sa Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), diin dako ang kalipay sa mga Surigaonon hilabi na ang mga lumolupyo diha sa Siargao Bucas Grande Island sa ubay-ubay nga mga proyekto sa inprastraktura, particular na sa pagpalambo sa pipila nato ka mga port area dinhi sa probinsya alang na sa paghatag ug de kalidad nga serbisyo sa tanang katawhan.

Tungod sa dakong tinguha ni Gov. Ace Barbers nga makab-ot ang tinuod nga kalamboan ug pinaagi na usab sa pakigtambayayungay sa PPA, ang maong mga proposal molakip na sa mosunod:

1. Expansion of Lipata Port -30 M
2. Rehabilitation & Construction of Sta. Monica Port -40 M
3. Rehabilitation & Construction of Pilar Port -30 M
4. Construction of Exit Gate of Surigao City Port -3.1 M
5. Construction of New Port of Brgy. Jubang, Dapa -75 M
6. Dredging of Del Carmen Port - 50 M
7. Re-channeling of Brgy. Consolacion, Dapa -3 M
8. Re-channneling & Dredging of Dapa Port - 38 M


Nanghinaot si Gov. Ace Barbers nga mapatigayon gayud ug mamahimong malampuson ang maong mga proyekto pinaagi na sa hugot usab nga suporta nga ihatag sa Philippine Ports Authority. Gidugang pa sa Gobernador na sa makausa pa siya malaumon nga ang maong mga proposals sa nahisgutang mga lungsod makahatag usab ug dakong kalamboan sa ilang inadlaw nga panginabuhian. (PGO- Surigao del Norte Media Bureau)

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Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano Saturday said that the Caraga Region is now among the tourist destinations in the country, citing surfing and fishing in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, and the various marine and coastal attractions in the provinces of Agusan and Surigao.

“Many potential tourism areas are already existing and still to be developed in this region,” said Durano who at the same time is the Caraga Region Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD).

Durano was in this city leading the recently concluded three-day mega jobs fair at a downtown resort, hotel and convention center here.

He also asked the governors and mayors in the region to continue developing their identified tourism areas “because tourism is one of your industry in this region.”

According Durano, “Butuan City, Agusan and Surigao and Caraga in general, is one of the latest additions of the beautiful regions of the country that is of top priority under DoT for tourism development.”

“I am so happy that I was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as CORD for the Caraga Region because I can concentrate now on your tourism areas for development,” said Durano.

“However, all things set for the benefits of the people will not be achieved without the full support of all the regional directors from all departments and agencies of the government and local officials,” he stressed. (MUC, Manila Bulletin)
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Suppose this province were a country unto itself. How would this “province-imagined-country” stack up if compared with actual nations in what really matters: better lives of its citizens?

Metro Manilans would find themselves wedged between Lebanese and Peruvians, says “Philippine Human Development Report 2008/2009.”(That ranking) is “higher than Thailand but lower than Turkey.”

Benguet would clone Armenia, PHDR intercountry comparison reveals.

Cebu “matches the Palestinian territories.” Davao del Sur, Abra and Bohol lie between Nicaragua and Uzbekistan.”

“Tawi-Tawi is sandwiched between Nigeria and Senegal. Manguindanao compares to Ghana. And Sulu fits in with Mauritania and Pakistan,” the study adds.

Filipino scientists, in Human Development Network, wrote PHDR.

The biennial study started in 1990. UN Development Programme and New Zealand co-sponsored this latest study. Both the global “Human Development Report” and PHDR go beyond traditional measuring tools, e.g. gross domestic product. They apply “human development indices.” HDIs factor in life expectancy, schooling and poverty. These give insights into lives of people.

“Thosebornin2006inLaUnioncould live to 74.6 years,” the study asserts. Among Filipinos, this is now the longest life span. Those in Tawi-Tawi have life spans shorter by 21 years.

Nationwide, “Filipinos born in 2006 will live, on average, about eight years longer compared to those born in 1980,” PHDR notes. “Between 1980 and 2006, life expectancy improved by roughly three years for every decade.” “Those expected to live the shortest are in Agusan Del Norte,” Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao’s conflictsavaged provinces, and backwaters of the Cordillera Administrative Region. PHDR offers inter-country analysis. “It is eye-opening that, in an international perspective, provinces with the lowest (human development) are comparable to a number of African countries, Cambodia or Myannmar.”

Life expectancy is in the 70’s – and climbing in .Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, Camarines Sur, Benguet, Cebu, Batangas, Pampanga Cagayan and Albay, PHDR reveals. But Icelanders, life span is 81. In Iloilo and Negros Occidental, average life expectancy is 70. That’s comparable to Slovakia and Malta. Boholanos tend to live as long as New Zealanders.

“Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur are worst off,” the study adds.

Abbreviated lives in this twighlight zone range from low 60s to high 50s. Lumped here are Ifugao, Kalinga, Basilan, Palawan, Apayao and Mt. Province. These resemble life spans in Yemenis or Laotians.

“Differences in homes, clothing or even menus are galling,” the late National Scientist Dioscoro Umali wrote.

“But denial of life itself and premature graves are an obscene injustice. These are death sentences. And they cut into the very depths of our common humanity.”

Look at other HDI indicators. Filipinos splurge on pork barrels but scrimp on health. For every dollar we allocate for health, Malaysians spend two, and Koreans five. This results in skewed survival rates. For every 1,000 births here, 25 infants die. Thais have cut that to 18. In every 100,000 births, 230 mothers die— a toll that approaches Cape Verde.

PHDR’s Table: “Countries Versus Provinces” provides these comparisons: Iloilo is on par with Tonga. Bracketed between Azerbaijan and Paraguay are: Laguna, Bataan, Batangas, and Pampanga.” Ilocos Norte draws alongside Syria. Zambales and Misamis Oriental are boxed between Bolivia and Mongolia.

Vietnam and Uzbekistan bracket Albay, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Sorsogon and Ilocos Sur.Lodged between Krygzstan and Vanuatu are: Misamis Occidental, Tarlac, Marinduque, Lanao del Norte and Quirino. An even larger group bunch between Tajikistan and Botswana; these are Quezon, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Zamboanga del Sur, Aklan, Aurora, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Davao del Norte and Bukidnon.

After Botswana and before Morroco, you find: Romblon, Capiz, Guimaras, Surigao del Sur, Mt. Province, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Apayao, North Cotabato, Northern Samar and Antique.

Such analysis provides a “reality check.” Official mindsets here stop at the seashore. Programs pivot around the next election. The “20 Percent Development Fund, in local budgets, was to address unmet basic human needs: immunization, nutrition, safe water, etc. The fund has been perverted into a mini-pork barrel.”

Look at the “no-read-nowrite” data. In Batanes, for example, only two percent are “functionally illiterate. But that bolts to 94 percent in Tawi- Tawi.”

In Basilan, teachers are often kidnapped. There, 35 out of every 100 residents are “functionally illiterate.”

Roughly, the same level of deprivation prevails in Sarangani, Canadians, Western Samar, Siquijor, Agusan Del Sur, Eastern Samar, Negros Oriental and North Cotabato. They stand alongside Nigeria and Cameroon “The value of inter-country comparisons is redeemed only when people – seeing the gap between what is and what could be – begin to demand more of themselves and of those who purport to represent their interests.”

Will officials itching to “chacha” listen? (JOHNY MERCADO, E-mail: juanlmercado@gmail.com/The Negros Chronicle)

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Low Cost Carrier Air Philippines arrived late in Surigao but still on time for the summer period in the western world as it will start daily service instead of 4 times a week schedule originally slated in March this July 1st.

The airline founded in 1995, will substitute PAL Express Q400 service and operates on code share agreement with Philippine Airlines.

A Boeing 727-200 jet aircraft, which seat 118 passengers in a monoclass layout, will be deployed on the route. AirPhil will start daily jet service between Manila and Surigao starting July 1, 2009. Flights from Manila will depart 8:45 am, arriving Surigao at 10:15 am. The return flight leaves Surigao airport at 10:45 am and lands in Manila 12:15 pm. It operates at the new Terminal 3.

Air Philippines President & CEO Capt. Edilberto R. Medina said that it concluded a probing flight to Surigao City on 16 February and while they intend to launch flight there as originally scheduled some unforseen technical circumatances were going there way which prompted them to delay the service. The culprit seems to be the airport's preparedness to handle a jet flight and training of some CAAP personnel to emergency situation.

Surigao will becomes Air Philippines’ 9th domestic destination in the airline’s expanding route network based at hubs in Manila and Cebu. The airline has recently suspended its commercial operations to three major Mindanao cities in July last year and reduced much of its frequency for its main Visayas-Mindanao service due to massive losses and intense competition with Cebu Pacific.

The airline took off its last flight to Ozamiz City last June 14, 2009 to give way to its sister company, Philippine Airlines. In a press release, AirPhil. decided to leave Ozamiz after observing the city's rapid economic expansion that requires bigger aircraft to accommodate the growing volume of air travelers and cargo.

Airline industry sources however said that the entry of Cebu Pacific's direct Manila service paved the way for its eventual exit based on its experience at the Dumaguete Airport.

The source said the airline’ cannot anymore justify fuel bill as the cause but have to contend with heavy competitions from both Cebu Pacific and Zest Airways which are introducing newer and better aircraft at the same charging fare at a lower cost, and passenger awareness to choose to ride newer and better planes.

Air Philippines fare was considerably higher than Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flight from Dipolog which prompted other passengers to ride from Dipolog airport instead while others contend themselves of booking early for the Cebu stops.

The airline has been hit particularly hard by high petroleum prices in 2008 because its jet fleet consists mostly of 20-year-old Boeing 737-200s, whose engines are substantially less fuel-efficient than their modern counterparts. To operate profitably, they have to maintain load consistency and pricing strategy which they can do at will while being alone in a particular market.

With impending profitability warning, the airline surrendered Ozamiz to its much bigger sister while enjoying happily at Surigao Airport. The Airbus 319 which Cebu Pacific had is not certified to fly safely at the current Surigao airport until after runway extensions and safety areas has been met.

Air Philippines fly only profitable routes in Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Naga, and this time Surigao while it buys time for a better market conditions but that condition is slowly being eaten by Zest Airways . It has 7 active Boeing 737-200 advance and 1 Boeing 737-300 aircraft on its fleet. Presently, it operates only 4 aircraft and grounded 4 others. Air Philippines has announced a plan to completely ground its old 737s by 2010 but deferred its implementation due to massive losses in 2008. The airline is expected to receive two A320 this year and a solid black financial performance.
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On June 12, 2009 around 4:00 in the afternoon at the vicinity of Mercury Drug Store of Rizal Street, Surigao City where one Armando Masaya Marmito, 48 years old, married and a resident of Barangay Tag-abaca, Basilisa, Dinagat Islands was apprehended by joint elements from Basilisa Municipal Police Station led by SPO2 Eulogio L Eledia together with SPO2 Pecato, PO3 Seguerra, PO1 Tiempo and SPO1 Vallespin of Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office

Marmito was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) under Criminal Case Number 4309-0, 4377-04378-0 and 4370-0 all for Violation of Section 68 of PD 705 as amended by EO 277 (Forestry Reform Code of the Phils.) and Criminal Case Number 4397-0 for Falsification of Public Documents issued by Hon Lauro AP Castillo Jr Acting Presiding Judge of RTC branch 12, Ormoc City dated 24 March 2009.

Arrested person is temporarily detained at Surigao City Police Station and will be presented to RTC branch 12, Ormoc City by personnel of Basilisa Municipal Police Station on June 14, 2009. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

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On June 15, 2009 at 11:00 in the morning at Barangay Magsaysay, Placer, Surigao del Norte, a certain Efren Tiu Cruzado, 19 years old, single and a resident of the above-mentioned place was apprehended by elements of Placer Municipal Police Station led by PSI Alejandro Galido Recimo, COP who was caught in the act engaged in illegal numbers game locally known as "swertres".

Confiscated from suspect’s possession were one partially filled–up stub, ballpen and bet money amounting to Two Hundred Pesos (P200.00) in different denominations. Said suspect is now under the custody of Placer Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

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Sixteen congressmen, their wives and daughters will join President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 11-day official visit to Japan and Brazil, one of the lawmakers said.

Surigao Del Norte Representative Francisco Matugas listed down the names of lawmakers who will travel with the President as he sought permission from the Sandiganbayan to travel abroad. He has a pending graft case.

Aside from himself, Matugas said the President’s part will include Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, Batangas Rep. Victoria Reyes, Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano, Abra Rep. Cecilia Seares Luna, Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman, YACAP partylist Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez, Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, Compostela Valley Rep. Rommel Amatong, La Union Rep. Thomas Dumpit, Jr., ABONO partylist Rep. Robert Estrella, TUCP partylist Rep. Raymond Mendoza, Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, and Buhay partylist Rep. Carissa Coscolluela.

The President and her party will leave the country on Wednesday. (inquirer.net)
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Charter change is not “the threshold at which all other hopes begin.” Life is. Nor is a politics-gutted constitution the more telling indicator of national advance or setback. Life expectancy is.

Today, Filipinos with the longest life spans are in La Union province, says the Philippine Human Development Report 2008/2009. “On average those born in 2006 in La Union are expected to live 74.6 years,” as Ecuadorians do.

In contrast, Tawi-Tawi life expectancy resembles that of Djibouti in Africa: 53.4 years. Bulacan’s 73.4 years is two decades longer.

“Those expected to live the shortest” are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s conflict-savaged provinces or the Cordillera Administrative Region’s backwaters. Is this a twilight zone of shriveled hopes?

Filipino scientists craft PHDRs within the Human Development Network. The first of these biennial studies came off the press in 1990. The United Nations Development Programme and New Zealand co-sponsored this latest edition.

PHDR and the global Human Development Report go beyond usual measuring tools, e.g. gross domestic product. They apply “human development indices.” HDIs factor in schooling, poverty, health—and life spans.

“Long lifers” cluster in Ilocos Norte, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Batangas, Pampanga, Cagayan and Albay. Life expectancy in these provinces is in the 70s, and climbing. An Icelander, however, can expect to live up to 81 years.

Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province and Agustan del Norte are tail-enders. Life expectancies in these five provinces hover in the 60s, often below. That’s where Pakistan and Eritrea are wedged today. “Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are worst off.”

“Differences in homes, clothing or even menus are galling enough,” the late National Scientist Dioscoro Umali wrote. “But denial of life itself and premature graves are an obscene injustice… These are death sentences. And they cut into the very depths of our common humanity.”

Nationwide, “Filipinos born in 2006 will live, on average, about eight years longer compared to those born in 1980,” PHDR notes. “Between 1980 and 2006, life expectancy improved by roughly three years for every decade.”

Fine, take a bow. But what underpinned the heartening advances? And what triggered those tragic setbacks?

Improved scientific analysis, for one. PHDR did further sophisticated work on mortality tables. These were first stitched together by San Carlos University’s Fr. Wilhelm Fleiger, SVD and UP Population Institute’s Josefina Cabigon. The result provides clearer insights.

Cash shortages, for another. For every dollar our legislators pony up for health, Malaysians allocate two, Koreans five. This results in skewed survival rates.

Here, 25 infants die in every 1,000 births. Thais have cut that to 18. In every 100,000 pregnancies, 230 Filipino mothers die. That toll resembles Cape Verde.

Camarines Sur, Leyte and Zamboanga del Norte “registered the biggest improvements,” PHDR found. “More than 14 years were added to life expectancy.”

Other gainers: Sorsogon, Surigao del Norte, Zambales, Palawan and Pangasinan.

Some updated life expectancies (figures rounded): Bohol and Iloilo, 71; Negros Occidental and Bukidnon, 70; Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, 69; North Cotabato and Ilocos Sur, 68; Negros Oriental, 67, Davao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Western Samar and Masbate, 66; Romblon, 65.

“He who knows how to use a writing brush will never have to beg,” the Chinese proverb says. Look at the “no-read-no-write” data.

In Batanes, 2 percent are functionally illiterate. That bolts to 35 percent in Basilan, where teachers are often kidnapped. Roughly, the same level of deprivation prevails in Sarangani, Siquijor—and Uganda.

“For the country, as a whole, the proportion of high school graduates among adults in 2006 was 55 percent,” PHDR found. “[This is] up nine percentage points from the 1997 level.”

Four out of every five adults finish high school in Metro Manila. “Benguet follows closely with seven in every nine adults. Provinces cheek-by-jowl with the metropolis—Rizal, Cavite and Laguna—have relatively high ratios,” the report notes. “So do northern Luzon corridor provinces like Bataan.”

Abra registered the greatest improvement (15 percent) in secondary schooling. Guimaras and Biliran followed closely with 13-percent surges. Maguindanao, Benguet, Apayao and Surigao del Norte chalked up 9-percent increases.

“Water is life.” In Capiz, 48 out of every 100 drink from open, often contaminated, wells. The comparative figures are 37 in Palawan and down to 7 in Cavite.

PHDR computers crunch out overall rankings for human development. The study also sets provincial ranking in an international context.

Metro Manilans are wedged between Lebanese and Peruvians, the comparison shows. Cebu matches the Palestinian territories. Topnotcher Benguet clones Armenia. “Davao del Sur, Abra and Bohol lie between Nicaragua and Uzbekistan.” Manguindanao compares to Ghana.

“The value of inter-country comparisons is redeemed only when people—seeing the gap between what is and what could be—begin to demand more of themselves and of those who purport to represent their interests.”

Yes, yes. But what if our so-called leaders set their thresholds at Cha-cha? (juan mercado, inquirer.net)

* * *

E-mail: juanlmercado@gmail.com
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CANADIAN MINDORO Resources, Ltd. will start exploring its gold, copper and nickel mine in northern Mindanao in the third quarter, a company official said in a report to officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) late last week.

The miner will spend $300,000-$500,000 up to next year for the exploration program, which is focused on the American Tunnels area of the Agata project in Surigao del Norte, said Edsel M. Abrasaldo, vice-president of MRL Gold Phils., Inc., the local unit of Mindoro Resources.

"We hope that this will lead us to deeper, richer copper porphyry area," Mr. Abrasaldo said.

Early this month, MRL Gold said sampling at the American Tunnels yielded 1.94 grams of gold per metric ton at varying levels.

"We are trying to partner with small-scale miners with the main purpose of rationalizing their activities like environmental compliance," Mr. Abrasaldo said.

The Agata project is also estimated to contain 22 million-25 million dry metric tons of nickel ore with 1.1% grade of nickel equivalent to 547 million pounds (lbs.) of contained nickel and 34 million lbs. of contained cobalt.

MRL Gold expects to extract 7,000-10,000 metric tons of nickel per year for at least 25 years.

In February, MRL Gold raised exploration funds through the Toronto Stock Exchange.

"Our plan for this project is hopefully build a processing plant rather than direct ore shipping," Mr. Abrasaldo said.

MRL Gold is looking for a Chinese partner to put up the nickel processing plant, which will allow the miners to extract as much as 75% of the nickel’s value, instead of getting only 10%-15% of the nickel value with direct ore shipping.

"Basically [China] is the number one consumer of nickel. They drive the market of nickel, copper and other metals and they have the technology as far as processing is concerned," Mr. Abrasaldo told reporters.

"We will probably be in the range of 5,000-10,000 metric tons of nickel [per year]. Our initial studies indicate that it is amenable to high pressure acid leaching," he said.

Mr. Abrasaldo said the miner has yet to estimate the cost for the nickel processing plant.

"We have contacts but there are no advanced stage talks yet," he added.

The 45,000-metric-ton-per-year nickel processing plant of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. in Palawan cost $3 billion.

Meanwhile, MRL Gold is waiting for partner Australian Gold Fields Ltd. to start exploring its gold and copper properties in Batangas.

Last month, MRL Gold signed an agreement with Gold Fields, one of the world’s largest gold producers, for the latter to acquire a 75% stake in each of the former’s El Paso, Lobo and Talahib porphyry copper-gold projects in Batangas by funding exploration program and feasibility studies.

Under the deal, Gold Fields will spend $2 million each to explore the Talahib, Lobo and El Paso properties in one to two years. In the second phase, the Australian miner will invest $12 million for the feasibility study of the Talahib project and $8 million each for the Lobo and El Paso area. The 1,163-hectare Lobo area has estimated resources of 66,900 ounces of gold.

Meanwhile, British Avocet Mining PLC is conducting technical due diligence until end-August to determine if it will proceed with MRL Gold’s 1,011-hectare Kay Tanda gold project in Batangas. The London-listed Avocet has gold mines in Indonesia and Malaysia.

"If their technical due diligence is a success, then a formal agreement will be finalized," Mr. Abrasaldo said.

The Kay Tanda area has initial estimated resources of 357,000 ounces of gold.

"Their areas are green-field or new mining areas so the development takes time," said Edwin G. Domingo, assistant director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

MRL Gold, which has been identifying nickel, iron, gold and copper mineral deposits in the country since 1996, is listed in the Frankfurt and Toronto stock exchanges. — Neil Jerome C. Morales, Business World
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Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao, a broad alliance of environmentalists and peoples’ organizations, criticized House Speaker Prospero Nograles for pushing for charter change which seeks to allow 100 percent foreign ownership of Philippine natural resources.

Nograles is the author of House Resolution 737, which seeks to scrap the 40 percent limit of foreign ownership of lands, resources and enterprises. This bill has reportedly gathered 163 signatures of Lower House representatives.

The green group believes that the Arroyo-engineered charter change also aims to add more teeth to the already notorious 1995 Philippine Mining (Republic Act 7942), that the Supreme Court again affirmed in 2005.

Amending the 1987 Constitution is to pave way to intensified environment and economic plunder and degradation due to liberalized mining and privatization of freshwater and energy resources.

The full-blown implementation of a liberalized, privatized, and deregulated mining industry will come into reality once charter change has been enacted. The constitutional overhaul will allow 100 percent foreign-ownership of our lands and the exploitation of our natural resources. Charter change will actually further open the country to unbridled foreign exploitation and plunder.

No amount of touted revenues and compensation can pay for the permanent damage to the environment, the displacement of indigenous communities, and the loss of lives and livelihood that will result from large-scale and foreign mining.

It is very disgusting that the lessons from our people’s tragic experiences with large-scale foreign mining in Boac, Marinduque; Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte; Rapu-rapu, Albay; Didipio, Nueva Viscaya; Masara, Maco, ComVal Province; Diwalwal, Monkayo, ComVal; and Surigao del Norte are ignored by the Arroyo government. It should be noted that mining has insignificant contribution to the domestic economy and employment while no measures have been put in place to reverse the continuing damages to the ecosystems and people of the said areas.

The green group challenged Nograles to go to these areas and see for himself what local communities have lost: indigenous people’s ancestral domain, once productive farmlands, biological diversity, pristine rivers and marine ecosystems.

Charter change for liberalization will further aggravate landlessness, land use conversion, wholsale exploitation of biodiversity and natural resources, food insecurity, and the destruction of environment. Filipinos will be deprived of the right to use the country’s resources for their own benefit. Local industry and agriculture, which cannot comprete with big transnational corporations, will also be destroyed.

Environmentalists will heighten the opposition to the Arroyo-engineered charter change and join the Filipino people’s struggle for genuine freedom, democracy, just and sustainable society. (Davao Today)
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In a short but meaningful observance of the 111th Independence Day celebration here in the city, local officials called on the people to waged war against corruption, poverty, illiteracy and injustice.

Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra in his short message emphasized the war against corruption as he presented to the Department of the Interior and Local Gov’t and Civil Service Commission the Surigao City Citizens Manual aimed at curbing the problem of red tape in the government.

Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Ace Barbers, in his opening message recalled the city’s historical event. “Kining atong dakbayan, usa ka lugar diin adunay historical event na nahitabo. Alang sa kasayuran sa tanan, ang Surigao del Norte dihang dapita sa Ipil ug Punta Bilar diha mismo kada tuig atong gisaulog ang commeration of the Battle of Surigao Strait. (Our city is a place where there is a historical event happened. For the information of everyone, the province of Surigao del Norte somewhere in Ipil and Punta Bilar, every year we commemorate the Battle of Surigao Strait.)”

“And that commemoration is our manifestation sa atong (in our) history. The commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day marks the day when our forefathers have declared war and independence for our nation.”

He then urged everyone to declare war against poverty, illiteracy and injustice. “Today as we celebrate the 111th Independence Day I urged everybody to declare war starting today. Each and everybody must declare war against the bondage of poverty, war against illiteracy, war against injustice.”

These are the wars according to Gov. Barbers that the people must have to fight and face today.

He also challenged everyone to prepare a better future for all the children. “For this is our obligation in the next generations to come,” Barbers said.

“As a leader in my own right, I will try my best and to the best of my ability, to fight these wars with our mentor and hopefully these wars that we declare must imbibe in the minds and hearts of every Filipino.”

Barbers acknowledged the complexity of these wars but with the strong union and with the unity among the people, “we will definitely win these wars,” he concluded. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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The city of Surigao joins today, June 12 with the rest of the cities and provinces all over the country in the observance of the 111th Independence Day Celebration with the theme “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Kalayaan.”

At exactly 7:00 o'clock in the morning today, the activity started with a unison prayer by different religious sects in the city followed by the singing of the national anthem and raising of the Philippine flag in front of the City Hall with Mayor Alfonso Casurra, Gov. Robert Ace Barbers, Vice-Gov Noel Catre, Vice-Mayor Rico Salvador Sering, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and Sangguniang Panglusod (SP) Members.

The ceremony was highlighted by a short message of Mayor Casurra as he thanked the Almighty Father for the good weather in Surigao. “Atong pasalamatan ang atong labaw nga makagagahum sa paghatag niining maayo kaayo nga buntag. Kay kagahapon ug niadtong miaging adlaw kung sa inyong mahinumduman, kusog ang habagat, nag-uyan pero kuman, arang kagana an ato adlaw.”
Mayor Casurra gave an overview of the Surigao City Citizens Manual, aimed at curbing the problem of red tape in the local government. This manual, which is the first in Caraga Region, hopes to educate the public on the day-to-day operations and procedures of transacting business with concerned department/offices in the city government.

With this development, Casurra is very optimistic that it will eventually minimize the incidence of corruption as the transaction manual will also accustom the transacting public to government procedures.

Gov. Barbers, in his Independence Day message, said “the Philippine Independence Day marks the day when our forefathers have declared war and independence for our nation.”

He then urged not just the officials but everybody to declare war against poverty, illiteracy and injustice. “Today as we celebrate the 111th Independence Day I urged everybody to declare war starting today. Each and everybody must declare war against the bondage of poverty, war against illiteracy, war against injustice.”

The program ended with a wreath laying ceremony which was participated in by heads of the government agencies, private sectors who took turns in offering flowers at the statute of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Luneta Park. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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A Cebu-based aviation company has partnered with the Department of Tourism to provide aerial tours for those who want an alternative way of exploring Siargao island in the Caraga region.

Kenneth Madrid, executive vice president for sales and marketing of Aviatour, said the partnership is in line with the department's thrust to push adventure tourism in the region.

"We hope to see more tie-ups with other DOT regional offices after this partnership," Madrid told Cebu Daily News.

Tourism secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano said this development opens up Siargao and Caraga to more visitors.

"I have seen the tourism attractions of the area. Ang kuwang (What is lacking) is accessibility. The operation of Aviatour will provide the necessary access to the area and open up tourism traffic," said Durano.

Madrid said the DOT has coordinated with tour operators to sell the package.

He said tour packages to Siargao started last May 15. Introductory prices of flight tour is until September 15 for P3,750 to P7,500 per person for 30-minute to two-hour tour.

Package A gives tourists bird's eyeview of Butuan province and marshland, Lake Mainit and Sohoton Cove, while package B includes Surigao province, Lake Mainit and Sohoton Cove. Package C, on the other hand, includes Surigao and Lake Mainit.

The aerial tour started in 2000 catering to Korean honeymooners, said marketing officer Margaret Rose Veniegas.

Veniegas said demand for the flight tours increased with international tourists such as Russians, Japanese and Belgians comprise 80 percent of the market. About 20 percent are local tourists.

The Caraga region packages are the latest addition in the list of flight tours, which include Bohol, Mactan and neighboring islands of Pandanon, Nalusuan and Olango among others.

He said the company also offers "tailor-fit" tours according to the request of clients.

With the election year coming, Aviatour is expected to host several politicians and celebritiies who normally get services of the company for chartered flights.

Meanwhile, the company's flight school continues to get a steady flow of students from different countries such as Pakistan and other Arabian countries, said president and chief operating officer Jemar Bahinting

Bahinting said the quality of theory and practical training of the school gives them a competitive edge over other flight schools in the country.

There remains low awareness among Filipinos on the prospects of pursuing a career as a pilot, Bahinting said finding jobs for these graduates is another challenge. (Cebu Daily News)
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Air Philippines, in its bid to be the leading low cost carrier in the country, expands its domestic network, this time to the surfing capital of the Philippines, Surigao del Norte. Starting July 1, 2009, Air Philippines flies Manila to Surigao City daily, with an introductory price of only Php1888/oneway all-in!

The flight will depart Manila at 8:45am to arrive Surigao at 10:15am. The return flight, it will leave Surigao at 10:45am arriving Manila at 12:15pm. The flight will utilize the 118seater B737 aircraft, one of the latest in the airline’s fleet.

The entry of Air Philippines to Surigao City signals a more aggressive expansion program of the airline and is in answer to the popular clamor from the province for a more convenient and affordable transport schedule for its travelers. Hurry book now!
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The Department of Health (DOH), Caraga Regional Office suspended its regular press briefing to local media on the updates of A(H1N1) to avoid panic to public.

According to DOH Regional Director Dr. Leonita Gorgolon, the holding of press conferences only added fear and panic to the public against the virus and instead announced that DOH Caraga shall hold media briefing twice in a week or as the case arises.
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Lately, Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirmed 23 more cases of A(H1N1) infection in the country, bringing the total number of infected people to 77, the highest in Southeast Asian Region.
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However, it was stressed by the Secretary that there is no community spread of the virus and Philippines is still negative from an outbreak.
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Here in the region, Director Gorgolon reiterates DOH Advisory to the general public to report immediately to their office anyone observed as suspect of A (H1N1) at Centre for Health and Development DOH Caraga Hotline (085) 225-3876. (Jocelyn E. Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/ PIA-Caraga)
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Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus is set to visit Caraga Region to inaugurate the LAPUS School Buildings on June 19-20, 2009.

Sec. Lapus will arrive on June 19 via Butuan City, he will have a luncheon meeting at Dottie’s Place with the administrators of Butuan City, Bislig City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur divisions.

After which, he will proceed immediately to San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands to grace the Teachers’ Forum to be attended by the administrators of the divisions of Surigao City, Siargao and Surigao del Norte. Also, Lapus will personally meet the administrators of the newly created division of Dinagat Islands and inaugurate the first LAPUS School building in the province worth P2.3 million under a grant from the government of Spain.

After his Dinagat visit, Sec. Lapus will then proceed to Cahayagan Elementary School in Carmen town, Agusan del Norte to formally inaugurate the newly constructed LAPUS School building.

LAPUS, which stands for Learning And Public Use School (LAPUS), is a hazard-resistant and all-concrete school building cum evacuation center that include ample toilet and sanitation facilities that can better withstand typhoons and other future disasters to provide suitable evacuation centers and minimize structure damages during disasters. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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On June 10, 2009 a round 8:00 in the morning at Barangay Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte, personnel from Placer Municipal Police Station led by SPO4 Trifonio Medina Custan arrested a certain George Basillo, 19 years old, single and a resident of the above-mentioned place.

Basillo is listed as top 3 most wanted person in Placer, Surigao del Norte with alias warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Floripinas Buyser Presiding Judge of RTC branch 30, Surigao City docketed under Criminal Case number 7777 for frustated homicide with recommended bail bond of Php 24,000.00.

Arrested person is now detained at Placer Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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On June 10, 2009 around 3:00 dawn at Barangay Campo, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, a certain Pedro Ochada Jr, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Campo, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte was allegedly struck by a bottle of soft drink perpetrated by one Urcesio Platil, 44 years old, married and a resident of the above-mentioned place.

Ochada was hit three times on his head and was rushed to the hospital for medication while Platil voluntarily surrendered to Bacuag Municipal Police Station after the incident and now under the custody of said police station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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Globe Telecom and Intel Philippines announced Thursday the official rollout of Globe's commercial Worldwide Interoperability For Microwave Access (WiMAX) service in the country, which is the first ever WiMAX service in the Philippines.

Globe Consumer Broadband Group Head Menchi Orlina said Globe's WiMAX service is the company's attempt to "democratize the Internet" by providing the service in areas where high-speed Internet access is difficult.

"We want to make the Internet more ubiquitous and pervasive for all Filipinos. For as low as P795 a month, consumers can now have high-speed wireless broadband Internet access in areas where Internet penetration has been difficult," she said in a press conference.

Unlike Wi-Fi services that only provide lower bandwidth applications such as e-mail and basic browsing, WiMAX can provide speeds of up to 1 Mbps which is 33 percent faster than commercially available Wi-Fi services. This is because WiMAX is built on advanced wireless technology that counteract the effects of interference to deliver more data at greater ranges.

As of June 2009, Globe's WiMAX service is already available in Camanava, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Quezon in Luzon; Cebu province, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Silay City in the Visayas; and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.

Orlina said that by year-end, Globe is planning to expand its WiMAX service to the whole of National Capital Region and Rizal province, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, pampanga, Bulacan, South Luzon, Bataan in Luzon; Cebu Province, Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte, Guimaras, Capiz, Negros Island in the Visayas; and Zamboanga, Compostela Valley, Agusan province, Lanao, Surigao, Cotabato province and General santos City in Mindanao.

Orlina said subscribers can choose from three WiMAX plans: P795/month for 512 kbps Internet only, P995/month for 512 kbps plus landline and P1,295 for 1 Mbps plus landline.

According to Intel Philippines Country Manager for Sales and Marketing Ricky Banaag, some 100 Intel employees started testing WiMAX technology in Cavite as early as four years ago. He said WiMAX service has also been launched in Greenbelt Center in Makati.

Navin Shenoy, vice-president for the sales and marketing group and general manager of Intel Asia-Pacific, said the launch of Globe Broadband's commercial WiMAX service "ushers in the 4G era in the country.

He said Internet usage in the region has been steadily growing despite the recession due to the increase in Internet-capable mobile devices such as iPhones and laptops. Unfortunately, he also noted that broadband penetration in the Philippines has been unevenly distributed, affecting only urban centers.

"Globe Telecom has the distinction of being the first telco to use WiMAX technology in the Philippines, which will meet growing demand for high speed Internet service. The Philippines now joins 135 countries that is offering commercial WiMAX services to consumers," he told reporters.

Shenoy said one driver of WiMAX adoption in the future is the embedding of WiMAX chips to notebooks, netbooks and other mobile devices.

He said that in Russia, one telco signed up to 76,000 subscribers one month after launching its WiMAX service. "On the other hand, telcos in Japan are planning to have nationwide WiMAX coverage by 2012," he said. (abs-cbnnews.com)
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Leading domestic airline, Cebu Pacific (CEB), is offering a P111 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare for all of its domestic services in celebration of 111th anniversary of Philippine independence. The one-day seat sale is available on June 12 only and is valid for travel from November 1 to 30, 2009.

“This is proof of our commitment to make Philippine travel affordable for everyJuan. CEB’s trademark low fares have allowed many travelers to travel by air for the first time. The public can expect CEB to continue offering the lowest possible fare in every destination it serves, even if CEB is the only airline serving that route.” Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution said.

Iyog added, “We will continue to expand our route network and try to reach more places with our low fares so that we can provide affordable air travel options for more Filipinos.”

CEB will increase its Manila-Virac service to daily from four-times weekly, and its Manila-Naga flights to twice daily—from 10-times weekly—starting June 15.

The airline, which has been providing a viable transport alternative to ferries and buses, will also boost its Cebu-General Santos service with an additional Saturday flight.

Iyog concluded, “These additional flights will allow us to offer more low fares that the traveling public can enjoy and take advantage of.”

CEB broke its record number of passengers carried in one month last May 2009 by carrying a total of 865,770 passengers. Prior to this, April 2009 held the record at 823,419 passengers.

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. The seat sale is all-inclusive and non-refundable.

For flight bookings and inquiries, passengers may log on to www.cebupacificair.com, call reservations at 70-20-888 (Manila) / 230-88-88 (Cebu), or visit their nearest travel agent.

CEB, Asia’s 3rd largest low-cost carrier, flies to 14 cities in Asia and 32 domestic destinations with direct flights from Clark, Cebu, Davao, and Manila.
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Sento baytsingko (125) ka mga bag-ong Pangulong Gloria Scholars (PGS) ang mipailawom na usab sa laing han-ay sa mga training programs nga gipahigayon diha sa buhatan sa TESDA nga diin gihatagan na usab ug dakong suporta ni Gov. Robert Ace Barbers.

Ang maong training programs nga naglangkob na sa mga kuwalipikasyon sama sa Automotive Servicing, Welding, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Servicing, Building Wiring Installation ug Consumers Electronic Servicing gibuksan niadtong Hunyo 8, 2009 didto sa Prov’l Manpower and Training Center pinaagi sa usa ka Training Induction Program, diin si Gov. Ace Barbers mihatag sa usa ka mainitnon nga mensahe.

Ang Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Grant nakahatag gayud ug dakong tabang sa mga Surigaonon hilabi na nga kini mohatag sa libreng pagbansay-bansay sulod sa 38 ka adlaw nga aduna usab allowance nga P60 matag adlaw sa tanang mga tinun-an niini.

Sa mensahe sa Gobernador, iyang giluwatan nga siya malipayon nga adunay mga mapahismulanong programa nga nakahatag gayud ug dakong kausbawan sa panginabuhi-an sa matag Surigaonon sama niining Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Grant. Dugang pa niini, iya usab nga gi-awhag ang tanang mga scholars nga sila magmadasigon unta nga motapos sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga qualifications aron nga sila mamahimong episyente ug epektibong lumulupyo sa katilingban. (PGO-Surigao del Norte Media Bureau)
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Puno sa kasadya ug kalamboan sa paugnat sa kusog ang dala sa mga kalungsuran sa nagpadayon karon nga 1st Gov. Robert Ace Barbers’ Cup Inter-Municipality Basketball Tournament – (Mainland Division).

Sa milabay na nga mga semana gikan sa pagbukas niini, ang matag lungsod nga misalmot sa maong torneyo kanunay gayud nagsunod kalabot na sa resulta niini.

Sa nasayran, ang mga kabatan-unan nga apil sa maong dula kanunany usab nga madasigon tungod sa ilang nakita nga dakong suporta nga gihatag kanila ni Gov. Barbers, mga mayors, ubang mga opisyal ug mga katawhan sa lungsod. Didto sa San Francisco diin didto gihimo ang ikaupat nga dula, dako ang kalipay sa tanang Basketball Teams sa libreng pagpakaon kanila ni Brgy. Captain Jerry Escabal ug iyang kapikas, Kagawad Levy Escabal sa Brgy. Oslao.

Sa maong dula, gikabutyag ni Lolong Lisondra ang Event Coordinator nga ang migawas nga mananaog sa 1st game mao ang Tagana-an nga may 90 puntos batok sa Sison nga may 79 puntos. Sa 2nd game mingdaog ang Malimono sa 87 puntos batok sa San Francisco nga 82 puntos lamang.

Ang sunod nga duwa pagahimuon sa lungsod sa Claver karong adlawa, Hunyo 10, 2009 diin magsangka ang Placer batok sa Tubod, ug sa 2nd game ang Claver batok sa lungsod sa Gigaquit. (PGO-Surigao del Norte Media Bureau)

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On June 6, 2009 at 2:00 in the morning in Barangay Masgad, Malimono, Surigao del Norte, a certain Generoso Tiempo, 48 years old, single, farmer and resident of said place was shot using short firearm of unknown caliber by the suspect identified as one Crisente Estrella, 54 years old, married, farmer and resident of said place.

Victim sustained one gunshot wound at the right face portion and immediately brought to Caraga Regional Hospital for treatment.

Suspect who was allegedly under the influenced of liquor fled after the incident. Motive of suspect is still unknown. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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THE DEPARTMENT of Energy has received 13 proposals for over a half of the areas it had offered for the Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) 2009 for coal which closed last Monday.

Undersecretary Ramon V. Oca said the proposals were submitted by 13 companies.

The contracting round for coal opened last May, involving 30 areas. Winning bidders will be awarded contracts to explore and develop the country’s energy resources.

"We’d like to finish as early as we can ... we will try to finish it within a month if we can," Mr. Oca said. "[These are] more of work programs. We still don’t know yet the proposed expenditures," he said, referring to the applications, adding that many of the proposals were for the Zamboanga peninsula.

The next contracting round will be for petroleum areas, and will start "hopefully this month," Mr. Oca said.

Among the areas offered for the 2009 coal contracting round were Cebu, Quezon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

Companies were required to submit a proposal, which includes a work program as well as financial, technical and legal documentation.

A panel will evaluate the applications based on a company’s resource exploration strategy, utilization and production approach, evidence of available funds and financial track record, technical resources and validity of legal documents. (Business World)
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The city government of Surigao has identified various activities for the 111th Philippine Independence Day Celebration on June 12, 2009.

With the theme, "Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Kalayaan," the activity will start with a unison prayer by different religious sects in the city followed by the singing of the national anthem and raising of the Philippine flag in front of the City Hall with Mayor Alfonso Casurra, Gov. Robert Ace Barbers, Vice-Gov Noel Catre, and Vice-Mayor Rico Salvador Sering.

The activity will be highlighted by the awarding of Pangulong Gloria Scholarship (PGS) vouchers through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to 150 qualified and pre-selected scholars of Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology and Prov'l Manpower and Training Center under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

Also, to make the celebration more meaningful and worthwhile, Mayor Casurra will give a brief presentation of the Surigao City Citizens Manual to the Civil Service Commission.

DepEd Surigao City Division will give a tableau performance on the declaration of Philippine Independence while students of the Caraga Regional Science High School will perform a number of folkdances.

The wreath-laying will be done at the statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal after the community singing of "Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika" to be led by the City Chorale Ensemble.

Aside from these, jobs fair will be conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Surigao Del Norte - 1st Engineering District. Engr. Linda Uypala, OIC District Engineer said several local construction firms will participate on the said activity. They are currently looking for carpenters, masons, light and heavy equipment operators, and laborers, Uypala added. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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SEVEN PROVINCES have been selected to benefit from a A$100-million (P3.8-billion) road maintenance and rehabilitation assistance from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

In an interview yesterday, Rosalina D. Ilaya, project manager for Provincial Road Management under the Department of Interior and Local Government, identified the provinces as Guimaras, Bohol, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon and Surigao del Norte. — LDD, Business World
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The so-called “powerhouse” Lakas-Kampi-CMD announced yesterday the officers of its national executive committee, in preparation for the May 2010 presidential elections.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, who was designated senior vice president for external affairs, said the interim appointments of the national officers will take effect immediately, and will be effective three months until after the 2010 polls.

“Together, they represent some of the best leaders of both former Lakas-CMD and Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino) – now merged into a political powerhouse,” he told newsmen at a news conference.

President Arroyo is the ruling party’s chairperson while former President Fidel Ramos is chairman emeritus.

Speaker Prospero Nograles and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno were both designated as vice chairmen, while Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was appointed as the party’s president.

“Under the leadership of these senior members, the party is in excellent hands – and will henceforth move firmly forward, propelled by its founding ideals and principles and the vision for the Filipino people that it strives to achieve,” added Belmonte.

Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia was designated senior vice president for internal affairs, neophyte Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was appointed senior vice president for finance, while presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio will sit as secretary general.

Treasurer is House Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar while there are four senior deputy secretaries general – Reps. Jose Solis of Sorsogon, Danilo Suarez of Quezon, Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

Deputy treasurer is Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo while Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando – who has been offering himself as the party’s presidential candidate – was designated vice president for the National Capital Region.

The vice presidents for Luzon are Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan; for Visayas, Reps. Arthur Defensor of Iloilo and Nerissa Ruiz of Cebu; for Mindanao, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Rep. Francisco Matugas of Surigao del Norte.

Former Justice secretary and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez is vice president for legal affairs, former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay (now Local Water Utilities Administration chairman) was appointed vice president for membership and recruitment.

Pichay said the unification of Lakas-CMD and Kampi was a welcome development for the administration, since the merger can now address the problems they had in the 2007 senatorial elections.

“In the last elections, the candidates of Lakas and Kampi were fighting, so the senatoriables were ignored. This merger will solve that problem so that we’ll have no problems anymore,” said Pichay, a defeated senatorial candidate in the 2007 elections.

Deputy secretaries general Ray Roquero and Reggie Velasco said the arbitration committee would most likely be headed by Pichay, who said the arbitration process might take a few months, just in time for the filing of certificates of candidacy in November.

Pichay told The STAR that they would again be observing the “equity of the incumbent” policy in the grassroots level, but pointed out the declaration of “free zones” would be inevitable, but only in worst cases, where all local officials are members of the merged party.

Ermita said he would immediately work to further strengthen the Lakas-Kampi-CMD by consolidating its grassroots network and reinforcing its links with international groups like the Europe-based Christian Democrats International.

He assured party members that the national leadership would listen to the grassroots members, who actually are the source of strength of the party.

The arbitration committee would resolve differences among local party members who may be vying for the same post, he said.

Ermita also disclosed that some party members have been separately meeting in private with Vice President Noli de Castro and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. to help them decide whom to support as standard-bearer of the administration.

Bayani-Zubiri rift worsens

The quarrel between Lakas leaders Sen. Zubiri and MMDA chairman Fernando worsened after the MMDA chief dared the senator to attend first to his personal problems.

“I suggest he attends to his personal problems. He is the subject of a protest pending before the Senate Electoral Tribunal. Maybe he should make sure he wins it. Before then, he should shut up,” Fernando said in a statement.

Zubiri called Fernando a dictator for the continuous demolition of squatter shanties and clearing of sidewalk vendors in the metropolis.

The MMDA chief also brushed aside Zubiri’s statements that he would campaign against Fernando in the coming 2010 elections.

“I need not ask him not to campaign for me. I’ll seek the presidency on a moral high ground. His presence in my campaign might pollute and infect the morality of my campaign. To Mr. Zubiri, thanks but no thanks,” Fernando said.

Fernando had assailed Zubiri for pushing for the candidacies of De Castro and Teodoro as possible standard bearers of the administration party.

Fernando and Zubiri are stalwarts of the old Lakas-CMD while De Castro and Teodoro are not party members but are part of the administration coalition.

Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who recently announced that he would no longer run for president, denied that several presidential aspirants want him to be their running mate.

“It’s not true. No one has approached me. Honestly, I do not even know if I’d run for vice president. I’m only sure about rallying my supporters to join me in supporting a candidate with character, integrity and competence,” Lacson said.

Lacson is reportedly being wooed by presidential bets like Senators Manuel Roxas II of the Liberal Party and Francis Escudero of the Nacionalist People’s Coalition. – With Perseus Echeminada, Dennis Carcamo, Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica

Lacson withdrew from the presidential race, citing funding concerns.

He also said he did not have any strong political party with machinery to back him up and that those who were not getting high ratings in surveys were not likely to get much campaign contributions.

The senator is also facing allegations that he masterminded the killings of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

In earlier interviews, both Roxas and Escudero said Lacson would be an asset for any presidential candidate if he would agree to become his or her running mate.

Asked if he and Lacson running for president and vice president respectively would be a “dream team,” Roxas only said that he and Lacson would be talking in the coming days.

“We are together at the Senate and one on many issues, especially on good governance. Like what I said, we will talk at the right time,” Roxas said.

Escudero said it would be quite embarrassing for him to court Lacson now when he had not yet declared his plan to run for president. – With Perseus Echeminada, Dennis Carcamo, Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica. (newsflash.org/philstar)
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The Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators of the Province of Dinagat Islands are now on training on the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Module III which focused on Data Processing and Mapping.

It aims to orient the participants on the appreciation of Statistics Simulator that includes Processing and Tabulation; and the application of CBMS NRDB and Cross-tabulations using CSPro.

This 3-day training is facilitated by Ms. Charity Agbayani and Ms. Lucita dela Pena, both from DILG Central Office assisted by Ms. Mary Jane Lepiten of DILG Surigao del Norte. Said activity is initiated by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) at NEWS-MPC Function Hall, Poblacion, San Jose, Dinagat Islands that has just started yesterday June 8 and will end on June 10, 2009.

During the opening of the activity, Vice Governor Elvis A. Dela Merced emphasized on his message the importance of the said training as all developmental efforts of the province basically rely on this CBMS output. He further stressed to take this work seriously as the latter’s data would serve as the tool and basis in coming up with the executive and legislative agenda of the province.

PPDO secretariat disclosed that this CBMS has five (5) modules to be eventually completed by MPDCs of the province. This computer-based information system applies an organized way of collecting information at the local level using a household survey questionnaire for use of LGUs, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and civil society for planning, program implementation and monitoring. The core set of indicators have been chosen based on the multi-dimensional aspects of poverty and have been confined to output and impact indicators. (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Some 28 persons with disabilities (PWD) in the city were the fortunate recipients of 28 wheelchairs donated by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in coordination with the city government of Surigao.

Held at the city’s cultural center last June 5, the distribution was also in line with 2nd quarter meeting of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA).

Rev. Ruel Arrogante, ADRA Director for Northeastern Mindanao Mission said the wheelchairs were originally from the Wheelchair Foundation and the Knights of Columbus. They just channeled their donations through their office, the ADRA Foundation Philippines.

ADRA Foundation according to Rev. Arrogante is an independent, humanitarian agency established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the specific purpose to help people without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, or political or religious association.

Mayor Alfonso Casurra in his short message, could not help but thanked the ADRA Foundation for there enthusiasm in extending their help to the Surigaonons.

"It is really gratifying on my part. The one responsible here is ADRA. They are really eager in coming to Surigao City," said Mayor Casurra.

Considering the limited resources of the city government, Casurra admitted that the city government cannot afford to buy all these wheelchairs. Every wheelchairs costs about P14,000 to P15,000. The only counterpart of the city government according to Mayor Casurra is the P500 freight and handling fee per wheelchair.

Meanwhile, Mayor Casurra revealed that the city government will be giving a space in the Luneta Park exclusively for the PWDs Surigaonons. The said space according to the good Mayor will be used for their gatherings and entrepreneurship. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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On June 6, 2009 at 2:15 in the afternoon at kilometer 2, Barangay Luna, in front of Surigao Education Center (SEC), Surigao City, elements of Surigao City Police Station led by PI Vitalino Pagaran III together with the elements of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) immediately proceeded to the area after receipt of information that about 12 residential houses were razed with fire at the above-mentioned place.

The responding PNP team secured the area, the properties of the affected families and ensures the smooth flow of traffic.

The Quick Action Response Team (QART), Rescue 44-Surigao del Norte, Surigao- Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade, Traffic Enforcers and other NGOs also responded to the incident.

The fire was declared under control at about 3:55 in the afternoon of same date with an estimated cost of damaged worth Php 400,000.00. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

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On June 4, 2009 at 9:00 in the evening at Barangay Tambacan, San Isidro, Surigao del Norte, a certain Danny Compra, 34 years old, married, BPLK member and resident of said place while in the performance of his official duty acting as security of the benefit dance of said Barangay was hit by an empty bottle by Salpenito Bertical, 54 years old, married, farmer and resident of Barangay Del Carmen, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.

Initial investigation revealed that suspect while under the influenced of liquor forcibly entered the Dancing Hall, said victim prevented him from entering thus prompted the suspect to strike him using empty bottle hitting the victim's right face.

Victim was rushed to Siargao District Hospital for medical treatment while suspect was also brought to same hospital for liquor test. Appropriate case is now prepared for filing in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

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On June 4, 2009 at 4:30 in the afternoon at Punta Bilang-bilang, Barangay Taft, Surigao City, PO1 Jingjong Ederosas and PO1 Jundie Pobe, PNP members assigned at Surigao City Police Station and detailed at Barangay Taft PNP Outpost while conducting roving patrol apprehended Jason Suazo, 19 years old, single and presently residing at Purok-10, Punta Bilang-bilang, Barangay Taft, Surigao City while actually stealing clothes (underwear) hanged at one of the residence of said place.

During the conduct of body search, said Police Officers were able to confiscate sharp pointed instrument locally known as ice pick measuring more or less 7 inches long and scabbard.

Suspect is now detained at Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

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Ania na ang mga pama-agi nga makadugang sa kinita-an sa mga kooperatiba. Ang SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION may usa ka paagi nga ang kooperatiba mokita ug halos P 78, 000.00 matag ani sa usa ka hektarya sulod sa ciento-singko (105) ka adlaw. Ug ang kooperatiba makatanum makatulo sa usa ka tuig ni-ini.

Agig dugang kahibalo sa Sunflower Production usa ka seminar ang pagahimo-on karon biernes. Hunyo 12 sa may alas otso sa buntag (8:00 a.m) diha sa Surigao Education Center Amphitheater ning dakbayan sa Surigao.

Ang kooperatiba nga maka-apil ni-ini nga Sunflower Seminar ma-oy htagan ug prioridad sa ipahulam sa Land Bank of the Philippines nga mokantidad ug P 33, 000.00 matag hektarya.

Adunay registration fee nga P 400.00 sa matag participante sa Seminar agig galastuhan sa pletihan sa eroplano sa duha ka speakers gikan sa Manila apil na ang ilang accommodation, meals and snacks sa mga participants ug uban pa nga galastuhan.

Pagahisgotan diha sa seminar ang supply sa binhi sa Sunflower, Fertilizer mga gamiton, marketing agreement contract, growing ug uban pa nga angay hibaloan sa buot moapil sa Sunflower Production.

Kini nga kalihukan gipasiugdahan sa Cooperative Union of the Philippines (CUP) inabagan sa Surigao del Norte Alliance of Cooperatives (SUDENACO) ug Provincial Cooperative Union (PCU).

“Usa kini nga kahigayonan nga dili angay pakyason sa mga kooperatiba” matod pa sa usa ka Chairman sa kooperatiba, “labi na ang mga agri-coop”, dugang pa niya. (Pol Lugo, SUDENACO)

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Interior Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno is pushing for a review of the Local Government Code, particularly the internal revenue allotment (IRA) provision, to facilitate the conversion of towns to chartered cities.

Mr. Puno said the upgrading of towns to cities have an impact on revenues of other local government units (LGU) as many would share the IRA.

"I think this requires Congress to revisit the Local Government Code and reapportion the sharing of revenues, particularly the shares of towns, provinces and cities. This is the main contention of existing cities against municipalities that want to convert into cities," Mr. Puno said in a press conference here last week.

He cited the case of Rizal, his family’s home province in Luzon. When Antipolo became a city, its income ballooned to P350 million in 1998 from P125 million. Antipolo now earns P1.07 billion a year against the provincial budget of P1 billion. The province effectively lost 20% of its share from national taxes after Antipolo became a city.

"There are no available resources for LGUs affected by upgrading of towns. This needs legislative review but it would take time," he said.

Mr. Puno said the territory and population of an LGU should be given equal weight with that of annual income requirement when considering the conversion of towns into cities.

He cited Makati "which has P10 billion in revenues but its land area is nowhere half of Basilan."

The League of Cities of the Philippines, a group of cities, is waging another lobby against House Bill 6303, which seeks to amend Section 450 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) in the income requirement of municipalities that seek city-hood conversion.

The bill, authored by Leyte Rep. Carmen L. Cari (5th district), wants to exempt from the income requirement municipalities that sought to be converted into cities under bills filed before June 30, 2001.

Municipalities whose city-hood charters have been enacted into law will also be exempted from the income requirement

The 16 towns, which had been converted to cities but reverted to towns, had sought exemption from the income requirements in city-hood laws passed last year.

They have annual locally generated incomes ranging from P62 million to P82 million.

The Supreme Court junked the city-hood status of 16 municipalities as it violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause on fair and just distribution of national taxes to local government units.

The 16 towns are Baybay in Leyte province; Bogo in Cebu; Catbalogan in Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Tayabas in Quezon; Lamitan in Basilan; Tabuk in Kalinga; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur; Batac in Ilocos Norte; Mati in Davao Oriental; Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; Cabadbaran in Agusan Del Norte; Carcar in Cebu; El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; and Naga in Cebu. — Francis Allan L. Angelo, Business World
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Forty-two out of 53 elected congressional representatives in Mindanao supported the passage of the controversial House Resolution 1109, for the House to convene into a constituent assembly and amend the 1987 Constitution. Mindanao’s 26 provinces and the cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga have 55 congressional seats, two of which are presently vacant as Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar was killed in a bombing in 2007 while Misamis Oriental’s 1st district Rep. Danilo Lagbas succumbed to cancer in 2008.

Of 53, 42 signed their support for the resolution whose approval was “railroaded,” according to some representatives but “bullet-trained,” according to Rep. Roilo Golez, at around 11:30 p.m. on June 2, by viva voce.

HR 1109 calls on “members of Congress” to convene into a constituent assembly without the Senate, to propose amendments to the Constitution, among them Nograles’ pet resolution, HR 737, which seeks to lift the constitutional limits on foreign ownership of land in the Philippines.

The signatories to the Resolution pledged “that whatever constitutional changes may be proposed at the appropriate time, preferably after the constitutional issues of construction and interpretation by the Honorable Supreme Court of the justiciable controversy that may arise shall have been resolved with finality that: the term of office of the incumbent President and Vice-President shall not be extended; the term of office of Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, and other elected officials whose term of office shall expire in 2010 shall not be extended; the term of office of the twelve (12) Senators who were elected in 2007 for a six (6) year term ending in 2013 shall not be shortened and they shall be allowed to finish their term; that there shall be elections in 2010.”

Critics, however, say the resolution is a veiled attempt to stop the May 2010 polls and, in fact, extend the term of office of officials, including President Arroyo.

The Philippine Star on June 3 reported that the President’s “orders to pursue Cha-cha (Charter Change) via con-ass (Constituent Assembly) even without the participation of the Senate were reportedly given at the Manila Hotel after the Lakas-Kampi merger last Thursday before the President left for South Korea and Russia.”

“Additional pork barrel fund allocations were allegedly offered to those who will vote for Resolution 1109,” the report added.

The original author of HR 1109, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, had withdrawn support for it but those pushing HR 1109 said that they merely wanted to force the Supreme Court to rule on whether amending the Constitution requires the vote of three-fourths of all members of Congress, or three-fourths of the House and three-fourths of the Senate.

All three representatives of Davao City, led by Speaker Prospero Nograles, supported the resolution, none of Zamboanga City’s did but one of two from Cagayan de Oro did.

The House of Representatives’ website quoted Nograles as saying he was “ready to face public scorn for acting decisively on House Resolution 1109.”

"Even the best legal minds in our country today don't have a single legal position on how to amend the Constitution through constituent assembly which is one of the modes of amending the Constitution. I'm prepared the bite the bullet and face public scorn if only to convince the Supreme Court that it should now step in and make a clear interpretation of this particular provision of our Constitution," he said.

Stressing that "this cycle of conflict and controversy over cha-cha should be put to rest once-and-for-all," Nograles expressed confidence that the House decision to adopt the resolution would be proven right and will be beneficial for the country in the long term.

"When the majority coalition decided to act decisively on HR 1109, our eyes were focused on the future because we don't live just for today," Nograles said as he lauded the courage and audacity of his coalition partners "for risking possible public scourge for something that is right."

"This is the essence of leadership. What is popular may not be the best of options. I have to lead and be assertive. But I have to be patient, too," the House website quoted him as saying.

Representatives from these provinces supported the resolution: Agusan del Norte (Edelmiro Amante and Jose Aquino II); Camiguin (Pedro Romualdo); Davao del Sur (Franklin Bautista and Marc Douglas Cagas); Davao del Norte (Arrel R. Olaño and Antonio Lagdameo); Davao Oriental (Thelma Almario and Nelson Dayanghirang); Dinagat Islands (Glenda Ecleo); Lanao del Norte (Vicente Belmonte and Abdullah Dimaporo); Lanao del Sur (Pangalian Balindong and Faysah Omaira Dumarpa); Misamis Occidental (Marina Clarete and Herminia Ramiro); Misamis Oriental (Yevgeny Vicente Emano); North Cotabato (Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza and Bernardo Piñol); Sultan Kudarat (Datu Pax Mangudadatu and Arnulfo Go); Sulu (Yusop Jikiri and Munir Arbison); Surigao del Norte (Francisco Matugas and Guillermo Romarate); Surigao del Sur (Philip Pichay and Florencio Garay); Tawi-tawi (Nur Jaafar); Zamboanga del Norte (Rosendo Labadlabad, Cecilia G. Jalosjos-Carreon, and Cesar G. Jalosjos); and Zamboanga del Sur (Victor Yu and Antonio H. Cerilles).

Cagayan de Oro’s Rolando Uy supported, as did Maguindanao’s Simeon Datumanong; Candido Pancrudo of Bukidnon and Zamboanga Sibugay’s Ann Hofer.

The following elected representatives did not sign the resolution: Agusan del Sur’s Rodolfo Plaza, Bukidnon’s Teofisto Guingona III and Jose Ma. Zubiri III; Cagayan de Oro’s Rufus Rodriguez; Maguindanao’s Didagen Dilangalen; Sarangani’s Erwin Chiongbian; South Cotabato’s Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Arthur Pingoy; Zamboanga City’s Maria Isabelle Climaco and Erico Basilio Fabian; and Zamboanga Sibugay’s Belma Cabilao.

Dilangalen's name was not on the list of those who signed support for the resolution but he was acknowledged to have been the first to move to end the period of debate even as majority of those opposing the resolution were still waiting for their turn.

Mindanao-based party-list representatives led by Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan did not also support the resolution. (MindaNews)
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The Department of Budget and Management Caraga Regional Office sets to implement within this month the Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) of Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur and Tandag in Surigao del Sur which will be reverted back to municipality IRA.

DBM Caraga already received from Supreme Court the writ of execution declaring as unconstitutional the laws converting 16 municipalities into cities because of its failure to meet the P100-million annual income requirement stated in Republic Act 9009 that took effect in 2001.

Based on records, some of the 16 towns and municipalities were only generating a yearly income of P20 to P30 million.

The 16 includes the cities of Baybay in Leyte, Bogo in Cebu, Catbalogan in Samar, Borongan in Eastern Samar, Tayabas in Quezon province, Lamitan in Basilan, Tabuk in Kalinga Apayao, Batac in Ilocos Norte, Mati in Davao Oriental, Guihulgan in Negros Oriental, Carcar in Cebu, El Salvador in Misamis Oriental, Naga in Cebu, including Tandag, Bayugan and Cabadbaran in Caraga Region.

"We are just waiting for the DBM Central office to finish the recomputation of IRA's which is due next week, for us to implement to concerned local government units their new IRA figure and the 3 cities reverted back to municipalities", said Regional Director Joecel Obenza.

The IRA share will be reduced as a result to the reversion of Tandag, Cabadbaran and Bayugan back to municipality status.

Once implemented, local officials feared, projects will be affected, once again deprived of the much needed funding for development and worse, if the 16 cities that have been reverted back to municipalities should be made to refund the Internal Revenue Allotment that they have received while they were still classified as cities.

Earlier the League of Cities said the conversion of more cities have resulted in lesser funds for older cities as IRA's was slashed to augment in the creation of new IRA figure for the newly converted cities. (dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)
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Thirty-eight members of the congressional oversight team assigned to the Bureau of Customs to help curb smuggling and dumping have been given their termination order.

The termination of their services was relayed by oversight committee chairman Rep. Exequiel Javier to Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales in a letter dated May 29.

Javier cited “budgetary constraints” reports that said the team members had been harassing importers and in some instances had engaged in extortion.

Among those given their walking papers were head consultant Ernesto Velloso and Edgar Andanar, former mayor of a Surigao del Norte town.

The House of Representatives created the committee last year amid reports of rampant dumping and smuggling in major ports such as Cebu and Subic.

But many of the consultants abused their powers and even acted like they were Customs-authorized appraiser and examiners themselves, Customs sources said.

“There are lots of complaints, which according to Congressman Javier, prompted him to remove the team,” said Morales. “He [Javier] acted on it, because his reputation is at stake.”

Several members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry lodged complaints against the oversight team members for harassment and extortion, the Sun Star Cebu reported May 28. (Manila Standard Today)
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Four days after the case of Surigao-based cult leader was assigned to Judge Soliver Peras, a group has asked him to inhibit.

Thelma Chong, vice-president of the Crusade Against Violence, said they received reports that Peras and Ecleo's counsel Orlando Salatandre are both from Zamboanga del Norte.

She added that Peras and Salatandre are reportedly relatives.

“I am requesting Judge Peras to inhibit from handling the case out of delicedeza. I'm afraid the outcome of the case might be manipulated,” Chong said in Cebuano.

Although their basis couldn't be a ground for a motion of inhibition, Chong said Peras should inhibit to avoid doubts of the outcome of the case.

Six judges had inhibited from handling the parricide case against Ecleo, supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association for allegedly killing his wife Alona on Jan. 5, 2002.

They were Judges Galicano Arriesgado, Olegario Sarmiento, Generosa Labra, Anacleto Caminade, and Ireneo Lee-Gako, and Geraldine Faith Econg.

The paper tried but failed to reach Peras for comment.

Chong said she and the six prosecutors would meet on Monday to discuss whether or not they would file a formal motion for Peras’ inhibition.

The seven-year-old case against Ecleo was stalled for over a year to wait for Supreme Court’s decision on Econg’s decision to inhibit from the case.

In resolution dated April 15, 2009, the first division of the Supreme Court granted the motion for inhibition of Econg of Branch 9 and directed Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes to “immediately raffle” Ecleo's case to one of Cebu City's judges.

Last Monday, Peras was selected in the raffle.

Prosecution lawyer Democrito Barcenas said that although Peras and Salatandre reportedly came from one place, he admitted that such is not a ground for inhibition “not until such time that one can prove that the judge has been biased in favor of the accused.”

The other prosecution counsels are lawyers Alfredo Sipalay, Nicetas Ybanez, Frit Quiñanola, Kit Enriquez and Gina Co. (cebu daily news)
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Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda are nearly neck and neck in the latest survey on vice presidential contenders for the May 2010 elections.

Twenty-four percent of respondents to Pulse Asia’s May 2009 Ulat ng Bayan survey expressed support for Escudero while 21 percent said they were for Legarda.

On the other hand, almost two in 10 Filipinos (17 percent) are inclined to re-elect Vice-President Noli de Castro.

The only other individual to score double-digit voter preference is Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay with 10 percent.

The non-commissioned survey was conducted from May 4 to 17, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 years old and above.

“The candidacies of the other personalities included in the vice presidential probe are supported by nine percent or less of Filipinos,” Pulse Asia said.

They were: Sen. Francis Pangilinan (nine percent), Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (five percent), Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. (four percent), Sen. Richard Gordon (two percent), Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca (one percent), and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves (one percent).

Pulse Asia said less than one in 10 Filipinos (six percent) is not inclined to vote for any of the possible vice presidential bets listed in this survey.

The survey found that Escudero topped the list of vice presidential bets in Metro Manila (36 percent) and Class ABC (30 percent).

In Luzon and Classes D and E, the top candidates are Escudero, Legarda and De Castro.

In the Visayas, these three individuals along with Pangilinan and Binay registered practically the same double-digit voter preferences (11 percent to 21 percent).

In Mindanao, around the same percentages (13 percent to 23 percent) expressed support for the vice presidential bids of De Castro, Escudero, Legarda and Pangilinan.

“Between February and May 2009, there are no significant changes in the voter preferences of all individuals included in the vice presidential probe,” the survey firm said.

“Nonetheless, marginal improvements are registered by Binay (+4 percentage points) and De Castro (+3 percentage points) while there is a slight decline (-3 percentage points) in Sen. Estrada’s overall voter preference,” Pulse Asia said.

Senatorial preferences

Meanwhile, 14 out of the 65 personalities included in the survey for senatorial candidates have a “statistical chance” of winning in the May 2010 senatorial elections if the elections were held yesterday, the Pulse Asia survey showed.

Leading the list of “senatoriables” was Sen. Manuel Roxas II whose overall voter preference (49.5 percent) translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 2nd places, the pollster said.

Roxas was followed by Estrada (46 percent), Sen. Pia Cayetano (43.5 percent), Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (43.1 percent), Senator Revilla (41.4 percent), Sen. Jamby Madrigal (40.9 percent), former Senate president Franklin Drilon (38.7 percent), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary-General Ralph Recto (36.2 percent), Atty. Aquilino Pimentel III (31.9 percent), Binay (30.5 percent), Dangerous Drugs Board head Vicente Sotto III (29.8 percent), former senator Sergio Osmeña III (29.4 percent), Gordon (25.4 percent), and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (25.1 percent).

Pulse Asia said almost all Filipinos have at least one favored senatorial candidate. Only 4.1 percent were not inclined to vote for any of the individuals included in this survey’s senatorial probe.

Pulse Asia said public interest in the May 2010 senatorial race continues to be high with Filipinos, naming a mean of nine and a median of 11 (out of a maximum of 12) of their preferred candidates for the Senate.

“Mean figures range from eight to 10 while median figures vary from eight to 12 across the survey’s geographic areas and socio-demographic groupings. At least 48 percent of those surveyed already have a full senatorial ticket in mind at this time, identifying 12 names for the 12 available Senate positions,” Pulse Asia explained.

The other personalities that were included in the survey were: Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano (21.4 percent), news anchor Ted Failon (20.4 percent), former senator and health secretary Juan Flavier (20.4 percent), Sen. Manuel Lapid (19.8 percent), Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III (17.5 percent), Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Biazon (15.7 percent), former senator Ernesto Maceda (15.4 percent), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) chairman Manuel Pangilinan (14.4 percent);

NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. (14 percent), Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Ace Barbers (13.9 percent), lawyer and book author Alex Lacson (12.8 percent), Georgina de Venecia (12.7 percent), former Presidential Management Staff chief Michael Defensor (12.2 percent), Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano (12.1 percent), former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay (11.3) and former Pasig City Rep. Robert Jaworski Jr. (10.1 percent).

The Pulse Asia survey has sampling error margin of plus or minus three percent at the 95 percent confidence level. (philstar.com)

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Gokongwei-owned airline, Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering a 3-day seat sale from June 5 to 7, 2009 with ‘Go Lite’ fares as low as P388 all-in for select domestic routes. This is valid for travel from July 1 to August 31, 2009.

A P388 ‘Go Lite’ fare is sold for flights from Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Busuanga (Coron), Cauayan (Isabela), Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, and Tacloban; and Cebu to Siargao.

CEB is also extending a P988 ‘Go Lite’ fare for its Manila-Cagayan de Oro and Manila-Davao services.

“Our continued efforts to stimulate travel have translated to strong domestic market leadership for first quarter of 2009, and we plan to further solidify this position by offering more low fares to the traveling public,” said Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution.

She added, “The public can expect that as we take delivery of more brand-new aircraft, CEB will offer the youngest aircraft fleet in the country, more frequencies, and new destinations in the coming months.”

Promo fares are all-inclusive and nonrefundable.

‘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.

CEB, the leading domestic carrier, flies to 14 cities in Asia and 32 domestic destinations with direct flights from Clark, Cebu, Davao, and Manila. It currently has the youngest fleet in the country at less than 1.9 years, comprised of 21 Airbus A320s and 8 ATR aircraft.
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“There are no confirmed cases of A(H1N1) infection in the region.” Dr. Gerna Manatad of the Department of Health – Caraga assures members of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordination Committee (RLECC) during its monthly meeting, here recently.

The assurance came amidst clamor over A(H1N1), following reports of a possible infection in the region. Recently, one foreigner and 2 balikbayan Pinays were suspected to be infected of A(H1N1) virus after exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

As of press time, suspected infected persons have been tested negative.

To keep the region swine flu free, there is strict surveillance and monitoring in all exit and entry points in the region. Health teams that would test and interview incoming guests and tourists are also put up in seaports, airports and bus terminals.

Barangay Health Response Teams (BHERTS) are also activated to monitor tourists in their locality. The BHERTS are instructed to keep watch of the tourists in their locality and to immediately report to DOH flu-like symptoms in the area.

PSupt. Ramon Espiritu also instructed the chief of the Aviation Security Group to assists the health teams in the airports.

“The police officer assign in the airport should see to it that disembarking passengers follow the quarantine procedures. You help DOH by instructing the passengers where to go and what to do. You can use a megaphone to do that,” says Col. Espiritu.

Espiritu stressed that police presence other than maintain peace and order could also help compel tourists to submit to the monitoring requirements of the health teams. (Lovely Laudette Gamba, PIA-Caraga)

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The P10-million Siargao Manpower Training and Development Center (SMTDC) will soon be constructed in Siargao Island – the paradise island of Surigao del Norte Province.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco T. Matugas said the construction of the SMTDC will start before the end of this year.

"The budget for this building is already in place, and anytime, the project will start," said Matugas.

The Surigao del Norte solon said that the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in the amount of P5 million for the building is already in the pipeline.

It was gathered that the construction site of the SMTDC building will be located at the donated land of the Matugas family here.

As this developed, Mayor Peter "Boy" Ruaya, of this town, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Matugas about the project.

"The main purpose to have this SMTDC is to help the poor people in this island avail of and take advantage of the TESDA program," added Matugas.

He also said that the project is likewise being supported by the P4 million development fund of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Matugas said the construction of SMTDC is a "big help to the youth and unemployed people" in Siargao and Bucas Grande in terms of employment program of the government through TESDA.

It can be recalled that during his term as the governor of the province, Matugas was then the first provincial chief executive who built a Provincial Manpower and Training Center in the Caraga Region that benefited a huge number of Surigaonons.

The Siargao Manpower Training and Development Center funding came from the friends of the Surigao del Norte solon in the Senate, it was learned. (mb.com.ph)
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Undersecretary Ramon Oca said the oil and gas areas will be offered through the second phase of this year's Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR), which kicked off with the bidding of 30 coal exploration areas last month.

"We will try if we can bid out [oil and gas areas] by this month or next month. We're looking at maybe five or six areas," he said.

Launched in 2005, the PECR is aimed at drawing investors into local energy projects to reduce the country's reliance on imported fuel such as oil and coal.

Last year, the DOE awarded five petroleum service contracts, four geothermal service contracts and four coal-operating contracts.

Oca said the department is studying areas that would be offered to investors.

He, however, said the bidding for the coal areas, most of which were nominated by investors, drew strong interest from participants.

"Many companies asked about the bidding. There were foreign companies that were interested too," he said.

Areas offered for coal exploration include Boljoon, Carmen, Asturias and Naga in Cebu; General Nakar, Polillo island and Tagkawayan in Quezon; Cataingan, Masbate; Gubat, Sorsogon; Rapu-Rapu, Albay; Caramoran, Panganiban, Viga, Catanduanes; Godod, Zamboanga del Norte; Diplahan-Buug, Diplahan, Siay, Payao and Naga in Zamboanga Sibugay; Manay and Tarragona in Davao Oriental; Bunawan, Sibagat and Trento in Agusan del Sur; Kitcharao and Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte; Cagwait-Marihatag, San Agustin-Lianga and Tandag-Tago in Surigao del Sur; Sarangani and South Cotabato; and Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat.

The contracting round for coal will close on June 8. This will be followed by the oil and gas contracts and then by geothermal service contracts. (Manila Times)
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THE prosecution in the seven-year-old parricide case against Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association divine master Ruben Ecleo Jr. is hoping that the new judge who would be assigned today to the case would be able to resolve the motion to cancel Ecleo's bail.

The Supreme Court in a resolution dated April 15, directed Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Meinrado Paredes to “immediately raffle” Ecleo's case to one of Cebu City's judges after granting the motion for inhibition of Judge Geraldine Faith Econg of Branch 9.

Paredes of Branch 13 will preside over the regular raffling of cases this 3 p.m.

Among those who might be able to handle the Ecleo case are RTC Judges Raphael Yrastorza, Silvestre Maamo, Gabriel Ingles, Simeon Dumdum, Sylva Paderanga and Soliver Peras.

Drugs, family and commercial courts are excluded from handling Ecleo's case as well as Judges Estela Alma Singco and Douglas Marigomen because they are already loaded with cases.

Ecleo was accused of killing his wife Alona Bacolod by strangulation inside their home in Banawa, barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City on Jan. 5, 2002.

Her remains were found inside a plastic bag dumped in a ravine in Dalaguete town, Cebu three days later.

Six judges including Econg have inhibited from handling the parricide case against Ecleo, a former mayor of San Jose town, Dinagat Island in Surigao del Norte.

Other judges who have inhibited from the case were Galicano Arriesgado, Olegario Sarmiento, Generosa Labra, Anacleto Caminade and Ireneo Lee-Gako.

Labra of Branch 23 granted a P1 million bail on Ecleo who was described to be a “walking time bomb that might drop dead anytime,” referring to Ecleo's heart condition.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter President Michael Yu said he is hoping the truth will finally come out and justice will be served.

“I hope the case will be moving after it will be re-raffled,” Yu said.

He said the IBP will continue supporting the prosecutors of the case. (Cebu Daily News/Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol)
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The signs are there that the Barbers brothers are resigned to their fate in the LAKAS-KAMPI merger and would possibly jump over to the Nacionalista Party of Presidential Candidate Senator Manny Villar.

The scenario become evident in the May 28th LAKAS-KAMPI convention in Manila Hotel where both Gov. Ace Barbers and elder brother Lyndon were absent from the said meeting.

City Mayor Pons Casurra who attended the said convention himself expressed surprise over the absence of the duo and feared the boycott may lead to more serious consequences to the standings of the Barbers camp to the LAKAS-KAMPI merger.

Reps. Lalo Matugas and Jun Romarate meanwhile refused to speculate on what would happen to the membership of the Barbers Bros to the merger.

So far there has been no adverse reaction nor comment from the Barbers rivals.

LAKAS Party masterlist released last Friday showed Gov. Barbers as Lakas Provincial Chairman while Casurra handled both the LAKAS and KAMPI Chairmanship in the city.

The possibility of the Barbers brothers bolting to the camp of Villar became evident however after the brothers Lyndon and Ace observed they had little or no chance at all to engage Matugas and Romarate in a powerplay within the merger.

In a long distance interview with the Agusan-Surigao Enquirer Newspaper, Rep. Matugas said the fate of the Barbers in the merger lies in the hands of Pres. Arroyo.

Matugas said the President will soon appoint new interim officials of the merger party.

There are reports too that Rep. Matugas will soon be appointed Vice-Pres, for Mindanao representing the KAMPI party in the merger. (Agusan-Surigao Enquirer)

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Sa tumong ug tinguha ni Gob. Ace Barbers sa paghatag ug proteksyon sa mga kabataan, hugtanong gisuportahan ug gipatuman niya ang Provincial Search for Outstanding Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC), diin gisugdan ang pagevaluate sa mga kabataan sa mga kamunisipyuhan sugod sa bulan sa Marso hangtud sa Mayo.

Pinaagi sa maong lakang, gitinguha sa batan-ong Gobernador nga ang matag lungsod dinhi sa probinsya magmadasigon kanunay sa paghatag ug dakong bili sa mga kabatan-onan aron masiguro nga anaay ila mayo nga kaugmaon ug usab mamahimo sila nga dakung tabang sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka katilingban.

Gidugang pa ni Gob. Barbers nga ang search makatabang usab sa pagpahugot sa pagpatuman sa mga balaudnon nga magprotiher sa mga kabataan, kay usa man kini nga mekanismo diin makita kung natuman ba gayud ang MCPC sa ilang mga tahas diha sa tagsa-tagsa nila ka mga lungsod.

Gibutyag ni Mrs. Catelo, ang hepe sa DSWD sa probinsya nga ang mga migula nga mananaug sa maong search mao ang lungsod sa Bacuag-1st place, 2nd – Mainit, 3rd-San Benito ug 4th place ang lungsod sa Tubod.

Dako ang kalipay ug pasalamat ni Gob. Barbers sa tanan nga misalmot sa maong kalihukan, ug iyang gipanghinaut nga magmakanunayon ang ilang suporta sa maong lakang aron ang mga kabataan mahatagan pa gayud ug dugang pagtagad sa katilingban labi na nga sila gayud ang mas nga nagkinahanglan ug tabang diha sa atong katilingban. (PGO-SdN Media Bureau)

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National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Jessup P. Navarro on Saturday said the agency’s regional offices have speeded up positioning of rice stocks across the country in preparation for the rainy season.

Navarro said with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announcing the end of summer, the positioning of government stocks is a top priority for rice deficit areas and island provinces prone to calamity and isolation during the rainy months.

"With the country's archipelagic nature, it is important to maintain sufficient rice supply in its more than 7,000 islands, majority of which are populated," he said in a press statement.

The NFA is also intensifying its rice distribution activities by tapping the private sector and directing the arrival and unloading of rice imports in various disports across the country.

A long range plan is the continuous establishment of storage facilities including satellite warehouses in several islands to serve as rice depots supplying adjacent islands. Examples are the on-going construction of the 30,000 bags capacity warehouse in Dinagat island and the 15,000-bag capacity satellite warehouse in the island of Siargao, both in Surigao del Norte.

Meanwhile, Navarro said the major rice consuming areas and urban cities received most of the imported rice allocations. Metro Manila got 28 percent of the total imports while the cities of Cebu and Davao/General Santos got 17 and 12 percent each. Subic received 10 percent of the imports allocation.

As of the third week of May, a total of 349,600 metric tons or close to seven million bags of rice have already arrived in Manila and another 120,250 MT or 2.4 million bags in Subic in Zambales.

For rice import allocations for Visayas and Mindanao, 113,350 MT or 2.3 million bags have reached Cebu, 72,850 MT in Davao or 1.4 million bags, and 41,150 MT or 823,000 bags in General Santos City.

Navarro said the rice importation and intensive palay procurement during the last main harvest and during the summer crop have effectively augmentedthe NFA's rice inventory.

As of the third week of May, the NFA has some 23.6 million bags of rice which will be sufficient for the next five months based on the agency's average daily rice sales of 148, 377 bags. The volume is equivalent to 34 days food security requirement based on the country's daily need of 35,000 metric tons.

To further improve its grains inventory this year, the NFA is targeting to buy 18.5 million bags of palay higher than the 13.2 million bags of palay procured in 2008.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap stepped up efforts to increase domestic palay production last year following a supply shortage that pushed prices of the Filipino staple up.

The DA's implementation of the Fields program which has encouraged farmers to plant palay also improved the country's production of the staple. FIELDS stands for fertilizer, irrigation, extension, loans, dryers and other post harvest facilities and seeds. - GMANews.TV
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Mga kabatan-onan gikan sa mga nagkadaiyang lungsod sa tibuok probinsya madasigon nga misalmot sa 1st Gov. Robert Ace Barbers’ Cup nga gibuksan niadtong Mayo 26, 2009 sa Surigao City Gymnasium, diin ila na usab natagamtam ang nagpadayon nga tiunay nga paghatag ni Gov. Barbers sa tinuod nga kalamboan sa sector sa mga kabatan-onan.

Dako ang kalipay ug pasalamat ni Gov. Barbers sa mga misalmot sa maong kalihukan uban ang ilang mga local nga mga opisyales ug pribadong buhatan nga naghatag ug hugot nga suporta sa maong turneyo. Mayor Eddie Gokiangke sa Claver, Mayor Carlos Egay, Sr. sa Gigaquit, Mayor Charry Mangacop sa Placer, Colyn’s Tailoring para sa Tubod Team, Mayor Lycer Fetalvero ug Vice-Mayor Leah Pagobo sa Sison, Mayor Teodoro Senaca sa Malimono, Vice-Mayor Sally B. Plaza sa Tagana-an ug Mayor Simplicia Bacol sa San Francisco.

Didto usab ang presensya sa kaabag sa Gobernador, Vice-Governor Noel Catre nga maoy naghatag sa welcome address, former Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers ug Mayor Alfonso Casurra nga mihatag usab sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga mainiton nga mensahe. Gipahayag ni Gov. Ace Barbers sa makausa na usab pinaagi sa maong kalihukan, ang mga local nga mga opisyales nagpakita sa usa ka hiniusang pagsuporta alang sa tinuod nga kalamboan ug kaayuhan sa tanan.

Ang migawas nga mananog alang sa Muse of the Tournament 2009 mao ang maanyag nga si Miss Karen Aquino sa Lungsod sa Tubod diin midawat siya sa cash prize nga nagkantidad sa Php 2,500.00 ug usa ka tropeyo u gang mga non-winners midawat usab sa tig usa ka libo ka pesos alang sa consolation prize. (PGO-SdN Media Bureau)
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