TRENDS (26 January 2010)

Net income of top 1,000 corporations soars 491.37 percent under Pres. Arroyo

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/26/10) – Net income of the country’s top 1,000 corporations reached Php686 billion in 2007, a report by IBON Foundation show.

This is actually 491.37 percent (%) higher compared to the net income of the country’s top 1,000 corporations before the time of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of only Php116 billion in 2001.

This growth of the private sector means there were more business profits which, in turn, means more jobs for the Filipinos during her term.

Meanwhile, some 132,444 brand new units of cars were sold in 2009 posting a 43 percent (%) increase in car sales compared to 92,336 units in 2003.

This growth in car sales during the term of Pres. Arroyo only displayed the purchasing power and optimism of consumers. (PIA-10)


Ave. GDP up 4.86 percent during Pres. Arroyo’s term

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/26/10) – An average growth of 4.86 percent (%) in the gross domestic product (GDP) was posted by the Arroyo Administration from 2001-2008, the highest since 1966.

The average growth of GDP posted during the past administrations are as follows: Aquino, 3.3 percent (%), Ramos, 3.6 percent (%), Estrada, 4.7 percent (%).

In “Peso” terms, the GDP, under Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo grew by 2.23 times since 2001, while the gross national product (GNP) grew from $76 billion in 2001 to $186 billion in 2008.

During the first quarter of 2009, the GDP stood at $129 billion and posted a peak growth of 8 .3 percent (%) in the second quarter of 2007, the highest in 30 years.

A growth of the GDP means improved delivery of services and development of infrastructure by the government. It also means more income and more money to spend by the families. (PIA-10)


Core shelters ready for Munai IDP’s

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/26/10) – At least P14.88 million have been spent to construct 148 housing units intended for the internally displaced persons (IDP) of Munai, Lanao del Norte (LDN).

Of this amount, P11.99 million or 80.6 percent (%) came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while P2.89 million or 19.4 percent (%) was put up by the local government unit, Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD-10, said.

The project expenditure included the following: payment of labor cost for 148 workers under the cash-for-work component, P1.23 million, emergency shelter assistance, P50,000, modified shelter assistance, P9.91 million, installation of toilet with 74 septic tanks, P1.79 million, installation of water system, P447,615, multi-purpose hall cum evacuation center, P793,736 and day care center, P660,200.

An interior municipality located 18 km. south of the national highway in Bacolod, LDN, Munai accommodated some 4,891 families with 24,065 members from the neighboring areas who evacuated to the Poblacion after the August 18, 2008 atrocities perpetrated by the lawless MILF group (LMG) in the province.

A total of 148 houses were totally burned / destroyed while 10 others were partially damaged as a result of the incident. Thus, government and non-government organizations extended relief assistance to the evacuees, of which DSWD alone extended food and non-food items worth P1.409 million.

Solamillo said after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cleared the Barangays of Munai from LMG threats and declared the town peaceful, in December 2008, DSWD gave “pabaon” or provisions to some of the IDP’s who wanted to go back to their respective areas.

It was then that the concerned LGU, with the help of DSWD and other non-government agencies, came up with the Indicative Rehabilitation Plan for the restoration and rehabilitation of the IDP’s.

That plan included the construction of the core shelters, which have now been completed,” Solamillo added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, region 10).


DSWD-10 celebrates 59th anniversary

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/26/10) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will always be ready to serve the disadvantaged sector of society and vows to take a more aggressive stance to be a leader in social welfare and development.

Thus assured Atty. Aracelli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD, region 10, who talked about the theme “DSWD: Kaagapay at Gabay sa Kinabukasan” (DSWD: Supports and Guides, Hand in Hand, for the Future), during the opening of its 59th anniversary celebration, Jan. 25-29, this year, at Pearlmont Inn, this city.

Solamillo also congratulated the DSWD employees for their having been ranked “first” among 109 government agencies, in terms of compliance to the requirement of the government’s anti-corruption strategy framework by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).

“This feat of DSWD, garnered along the areas of education, prevention, deterrence and strategic partnership against corruption, demonstrates the commitment of its officials and employees to the practice of a corrupt-free bureaucracy, which was aptly recognized through a Pulse Asia Survey in 2009,” she said.

She also said DSWD will continue to implement the Pantawid Pamilyang Plipino Program (4P’s) in 39 municipalities and cities of Northern Mindanao which had reached out over 63,000 households, last year, and the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction to generate a complete list of poor households in the region.

Meanwhile, she thanked the non-government organizations (NGO), local government units (LGU) and national government agencies (NGA) for their support in implementing laws, programs and projects pertaining to social protection and awarded out plaques of recognition / appreciation to the following entities:

SM Foundation, Inc., Philippine Dental Association, Liceo de Cagayan University, Fuller Life, Tangub City Social Welfare and Development Office, Carmelite’s Missionary Secular, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10, Dr. Fernando Douglas A. Go, Dr. Mercedes Ligamon-Barba, Anna Lorraine Q. Velasquez and Roy T. Almacen.

The Loyalty Service Awards, plus a cash incentive of Php5,000 each, were also given to DSWD employees for their commitment and dedication to public service, namely:

Rosa V. Tecson, 35 yrs. of service, Gertrudes P. Aclo, 30 yrs., Lilia P. Cabantac, Josefa P. Domingo, Marina O. Rosendo, Pablo B. Pasayon and Ninfa A. Rivera, 25 yrs., Marlou J. Bingona, Erminda L. Manrique, Janet B. Ganzan, Ma. Elena A. Palma, Romeo R. Fernandez, Victoria A. Gacasan and Eduardo M. Dalagan, 20 yrs. and Evelyn S. Madrio, 15 yrs. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)


No “palakasan” in dealing with election offense cases, Regional Prosecutor

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/26/10) – No cases on election offense that has been filed in court will be dismissed due to the “palakasan or padrino” (patronage) system.

Thus assured Atty. Jaime Umpa, Regional Prosecutor of Northern Mindanao, during a recent conference attended by provincial and city directors of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and field commanders of the Philippine Army (PA) whose areas of responsibility (AOR) cover parts of the region.

Umpa said he has already called up all the provincial prosecutors of the region about their role to prosecute cases involving election offenses in the coming May 10 national and local elections.

“We will apply the full force of the law and put no one above it and that all cases filed in court will be prosecuted till the end. We should not be swayed by politicians who are known to be “the most abusive” of our citizens, the Regional Prosecutor said.

He also said his office will comply with Resolution No. 8733 of the Commission on Elections to assign prosecutors as members of the Special Task Force with the Comelec and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct investigation and prosecution of election offenses, especially those on the gun ban violations.

Meanwhile, Umpa said that warrantless search may be done in joint Comelec-PNP-AFP checkpoints under the following circumstances:

In moving vehicles and the seizure of evidence in plain view, as long as the vehicle is neither searched nor its occupants subjected to a body search and the inspection of the vehicle is merely limited to a visual search;

When the occupant of the vehicle appears to be nervous or suspicious or exhibit unnatural reaction;

If the officer conducting the search has reasonable or probable cause to believe that either the occupant(s) is a law offender or that the instrumentality or evidence pertaining to the commission of the crime can be found in the vehicle to be searched; and

On the basis of prior confidential information which are reasonably corroborated by the attendant matters.

Also present during the conference were Provincial and City Election Officers and members of the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC): Atty. Renato A. Magbutay, Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, Commander, First Infantry Division (1ID), PA and Brig. Gen. Rolito Abad, representing Brig. Gen. Mario F. Chan, Commander, 4ID, PA, members. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)


Camiguin posts increase in farmers’ production, profit

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – Aimed at increasing local farmers’ production and reducing its dependence from the mainland, the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) spent about Php5.5 million on crop production projects in 2009.

As a result, the crop sector shared almost 60 percent (%) of the total agricultural output last year. Such increase is expected to put down the market value of farms products thus making it more affordable to the public.

The palay production showed an increase of 11 percent (%), while corn increased at 2 percent (%). Other products that contributed to a better yield are banana, root crop, coconut and lanzones fruits.

To sustain the growth, the provincial government has invested on agri-infrastructure projects and completed last year the construction of the Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement and the rehabilitation of communal irrigation projects.

PAO also reported the release of Php1 million worth of loan assistance in 2009 for different livelihood programs under the Plant Now Pay Later program (PNPL).

Rice and coconut farmers likewise continue to enjoy the fertilizer subsidy program. (Jorie C. Valcorza / PIA 10)


COMELEC, DepEd, AFP, PNP, prosecutors convene to discuss election matters

ISLAMIC City of Marawi (26 January 2010) – The Provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here together with the Department of Education (DepEd), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the City / Provincial Prosecutors conducted a joint meeting on January 24 to discuss election related issues and preparations for the coming 2010 national and local elections.

The meeting was aimed to orient the participants on COMELEC Resolutions 8714, 8728, and 8729.

Situational and poll automation updates were also presented by the PNP, AFP and COMELEC.

In addition, the AFP-PNP Joint Operational Guidelines in relation to the 2010 national and local elections was disseminated to people concerned.

The operational guidelines are contained in the Joint Letter Directive (JLD) 01-2010 which provides for the policies, guidelines and procedures to be undertaken by the AFP and PNP in the conduct of law enforcement and security operations to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections in 2010.

The JLD also sets forth the establishment of Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) that will implement a strategy to address all election-related security issues and concerns during the election period.

In the province, the JSCC is chaired by Provincial Election Officer Atty. Nasib Yasin with Gen. Rey Ardo of the army’s 103rd Brigade and Provincial Director PSSupt. Adap of PNP in Lanao del Sur as members.

In a related development, the AFP reported that they apprehended 16 gun ban violators and confiscated 14 firearms from January 10 to 24.

The arrested violators included seven (7) PNP personnel, one (1) AFP personnel, one (1) MILF member, two (2) from security service agency, and five (5) civilians.

The confiscated firearms included four (4) cal 45 pistol, four (4) 9mm pistol, two (2) 12 gauge shotgun, one (1) 38 revolver, and three (3) M16. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran / PIA-Marawi)


173 PCOS machines to be issued in Iligan – COMELEC

ILIGAN City – City Election Officer Annaliza Barredo, this city, said the Comelec has allotted one (1) unit of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) or Automated Counting Machine (ACM) per clustered precinct.

Iligan City has 173 clustered precincts, thus, it will contain 173 counting machines, in the city.

Barredo stressed that a maximum of seven (7) precincts will be established in a voting center and barangay.

For every clustered precinct, it has one (1) Board of Election Inspector (BEI), one (1) polling place, one (1) counting machine, and one (1) ballot box.

The List of Voters and Book of Voters of each precinct are maintained, said Barredo.

Barredo urged all electorates to check on their names in the voters list at the Comelec office or at the barangay hall ahead of time, rather than on the Election Day, to avoid confusion due to the implementation of the clustering system.

Based on the list of voters submitted on October 31, 2009, Iligan City has 139,390 voters duly registered with the Comelec, with an additional 949 new registered voters, added as supplemental list during the 5-day extension of registration of new voters on December 2009, disclosed Barredo. (Lorry V Gabule / PIA LDN)


NSO head bares plan for 2010 census

ILIGAN City –National Statistics Office (NSO) conducted a planning workshop primarily bent to maximize the participation of the Iligan constituents to the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) in May this year.

The activity focused on the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs with common strategies both applied at the national and local levels.

Provincial Statistics Officer Ruben Gamale of Iligan City / Lanao del Norte said that invited participants were members of the Iligan City Statistical Coordinating Council (ICSCSS), a multi-agency body in the local level as one of the statistical coordination mechanism of NSO.

The activity was necessary to execute one of the mandates of the council which is to institute measures to strengthen the statistical capabilities of the city to ensure the production of useful and reliable data for local development, planning and decision-making, Gamale explained.

As presented during the workshop, participants were able to come up with strategies such as maximum tri-media exposure, distribution of IEC materials on 2010 CPH, information dissemination at the schools, barangays, and tapping of civic, business, social, religious, and non-government organizations to rally for their support in the upcoming census.

The actual enumeration is slated on May 17 to June 11, 2010, a week after the 2010 election. (Lorry V Gabule / PIA LDN)


PGLDN, DSWD hand-over infra projects

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte—The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte (PGLDN), through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), inaugurated and handed-over infrastructure projects which includes 148 units modified shelter, level II water system and a multi-purpose hall-cum evacuation center in Munai town this province on January 21.

Each modified shelter project costs P50,000.00 and totaled P7.4 million while the water system amounted to P260,000.00 and the multi-purpose hall-cum evacuation center is P500,000.00.

The fund allocation for these projects is sourced from DSWD’s Rehabilitation Component on Early Recovery Program for Conflict Affected Areas in Lanao del Norte and labor, hauling of materials and handling of necessary equipment are the counterpart of the local government unit concerned.

The activity is initiated by DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma B. Cabrera and PSWDO Federeza Samson.

These projects are being implemented so as to rehabilitate communities which are greatly affected by the armed conflict and further facilitate the speedy recovery of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the province, who are victims of the atrocities perpetrated by the lawless MILF members in August, 2008.

According to the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development, core shelters will also be handed over to the IDPs in the Municipality of Kauswagan by first week of February, 2010. (Breezy C. Jimenez / Lanao del Norte)


Lanao Norte women train on abaca fiber sheet making, meat processing, herbal medicine making

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte—Through the initiative of the Provincial Cooperative Office, in coordination with Golden Arrow Vision of Life Foundation, Inc. (GAVOLFI), the women of this province were trained on abaca fiber sheet making on January 11-13 at Jethro’s Best in Maranding, in Lala town.

During the three-day training, the participants benefited from the technology transfer imparted by Cristelyn Yañez who is also the Federated President of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) and Poblacion Unified Women’s Association (PUNLA) in Kolambugan town.

The women were taught how to come up with a durable and export-quality abaca fiber sheet which will be used in bag-making, decorative flower arrangements and other novelty items.

The training was participated by JAZZGAV Lanipao Women’s Association, Everlasting Women’s Association of Cabasagan and Gumagamot Women’s Association, all from the Municipality of Lala.

Abaca fiber sheet is another handicraft duly supported and encouraged by Governor Mohamad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo since this will generate income and can be an alternative livelihood for women which is expected to improve the quality of life and socially develop the communities in the province.

Abaca fiber sheet making and its by-products is tapped to be a potential income generating since supply of its raw material is abundant in the province.

On January 14, the women were also trained on meat processing conducted by Letecia D. Rosauro and herbal medicine making conducted by Celia Broa and Juliet Sarlita, both members of NAMANGKA Inc. of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, this province. (Breezy C. Jimenez / Lanao del Norte)


Gov. Dimaporo, COMELEC, PNP, PA confer on election security

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte—On January 22, 2010, Governor Mohamad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo together with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine Army (AFP-PA) conferred on the security in preparation for the upcoming May 10 elections.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Joseph Hamilton M. Cuevas called on the law enforcers for close coordination in implementing the Election Laws commencing with the Gun Ban which took effect last January 10 until June 11.

Further, he assured those present that the COMELEC is ready and willing to render assistance should questions on the implementation of law arise and hamper the smooth flow of their operations.

Governor Dimaporo said that he wanted a peaceful conduct of May 10 poll and if possible without incidents or issues of fraudulent activities in the province.

“As much as possible, gumawa tayo ng security plan which will prevent violence during the elections. Sana zero violence talaga. I am expecting that” (As much as possible, we will make a security plan which will prevent violence during the elections. Hopefully zero violence. I am expecting that), said the young Governor.

For his part, Col. Cresente M. Ferrer, Commanding Officer of the army’s 601st Brigade, gave his assurance that the military will follow the mandate of the law and will not exempt nor exonerate erring troopers especially violations on the Gun Ban directive.

Col. Ferrer also assured Governor Dimaporo that his unit will exert all its effort to maintain zero violence and maintain the peace and order status in the province.

PSSupt Orlando A. Beñas, the newly appointed Provincial PNP Director of Lanao del Norte, on the other hand, informed the attendees on the procedure when requesting security detail and other pertinent COMELEC resolutions to ensure proper coordination among and between the law enforcers in the province. (Breezy C. Jimenez / Lanao del Norte)


More gun ban violators in region 10—PNP

CAGAYAN de Oro (26 January) – There are at least four (4) more gun ban violators accosted by the combined police and military forces in region 10, adding up to 22 arrests as of January 25, 2010.

The latest statistics from PNP regional office also showed a total of 19 firearms, four (4) bladed weapons and two (2) grenades confiscated by manned checkpoints which are strategically placed all over the region as the 150–day gun ban entered its fifteenth day this year.

Consolidated reports of the checkpoints conducted covering the period January 10 to 24, 2010 showed that the total number of checkpoints has reached 724 in various locations in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and 10th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (RPSMB).

COMELEC Resolution No. 8714 prohibits anyone except the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies who are under direct supervision by the Philippine Army to carry firearms or any deadly weapons like pistols, knives, grenade and any explosives especially in public places. This resolution took effect on January 10, 2010 and will remain enforced until June 9, 2010. (Henry D. Daquipel / PIA-10)


MisOr urges support for Mayon victims

CAGAYAN de Oro (26 January) – The office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental (MisOr) enjoins all local chief executives, vice-mayors, Sangguniang Bayan / Panglungsod and all private business establishments in region 10 to extend financial assistance to victims of Mayon volcano eruption.

During the first regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, provincial board member Jimmy E. Caiňa authored Resolution number 05-2010 which seeks to provide additional financial support for the thousands of residents in Albay who were forced to evacuate their homes last Christmas.

Mayon volcano began showing signs of increased activity in the latter part of 2009. It continued to spew ashes and engulfed the area with soot thereby posing health problems such as respiratory ailments and skin diseases most especially to children. (Henry D. Daquipel / PIA-10)