PIA-10 News

Camiguin gets above standard rating in water quality

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Oct. 5 (PIA) – Tourist-frequented Mantigue and White Islands, here, get the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) above standard rating for water quality.

This came out after the agency’s Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) team conducted their latest test during the extension period of the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Project (CCRMP) Phase I.

The team had a monthly physical and chemical analysis on the areas from October to December, last year, as a heed to the request of the CCRMP Project Technical Working Group (PTWG) and the local government units.

The analysis results will serve as their valuable parameter necessary in planning and management.

The EMB presented its findings to the Project Steering Committee (PSC), last February 22 and found out that it goes above the standards for Class SB water set by the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 34, Series of 1990.

Class SB coastal and marine waters means water is suitable for tourist zones or marine reserves.
It further certifies the area as a “Recreational Water Class I” and “Fishery Class I for milkfish.

Amida Diwata M. Jasma, CCRMP Phase I Project Officer, said this will help maintain and ensure the ecotourism attraction of White Island in the town of Mambajao and Mantigue Island in the municipality of Mahinog.

Other LGU’s in the province are also lobbying for its inclusion in the priority areas of the EMB. (PIA 10)


Groundwater mining in Mindanao needs attention - MinDA
By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Oct. 5 (PIA) – Groundwater mining in Mindanao must be managed very well, as its excessive extraction and poor management can lead to land subsidence and saltwater intrusion.

This was raised by Cecilia D. Triño, Presidential Staff Officer VI of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) during a meeting with the Provincial Planning Officers of the region held, here, yesterday, Oct. 4.

Triño said the groundwater mining in the island certainly needs attention, as groundwater withdrawal is primarily influenced by growth in population.

The national strategy to designate mining of minerals as one of major development sectors has substantially increased exploration and mining activities, especially, in Northern and Eastern Mindanao where most mineralized areas may be found.

“The level of on-going and prospective mining activities, no matter how responsible, would certainly worsen the situation,” she said.

Thus, there is need to determine the remaining carrying capacity of Mindanao ecosystems and balance this with the level and kind of development that must be pursued with the security and safety of the people and the environment in mind.

Meanwhile, she said the ground water stock is greatly affected by the rate of groundwater withdrawal of extraction and aquifer recharge, which is primarily influenced by growth in population, subsequently driven by economic demand and growth.

On the other hand, the Mindanao aquifer recharge is dependent on watershed status and characteristics and land use, even as it is characterized as highly to moderate productive with moderate to low potential recharge.

Water degradation has been a major threat to sustainability, as have depletion of fisheries and adverse environmental impacts of mining activities, like toxic chemical runoff and biodiversity threats.

The other challenges that confronted our river basins and watersheds include unsustainable agriculture practices and the lack of an integrated and coordinated approach in river basis management.

The above deteriorating condition of Mindanao’s river basins and watersheds are further aggravated by the effects of climate change phenomenon, Triño, further said. (PIA-10)


BIMP-EAGA 20th SO/16th MM working committees to conduct dry run
By: Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Oct. 5 (PIA) – The assigned Liaison Officers, Airport Welcome Receptions, Baggage Handlers, Hotel Receptionist, Venue Ushers and Usherettes and Registration Secretariat are enjoined to attend the dry run, tomorrow, Oct. 6 at the Mandala Hall, 4th Floor, VIP Hotel, here.

The activity is in preparation for the hosting of the 20th Senior Officials’ and 16th Ministerial Meeting (SOMM) of the Brunei- Indonesia -Malaysia and the Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) scheduled at Xavier Estates Sports and Country Club (XESCC), here, this coming Oct. 19-20.

However, the activities will actually begin when the guests and delegates will start arriving on Oct. 17, Ma. Eliza A. Pabillore, Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who is the Chairperson of the Programs and Events Committee, said.

Meanwhile, opening of the 2011 BIMP-EAGA Investment Conference (BIMP I-Con) cum BIMP-EAGA Local Government Unit (LGU) Bilateral Discussion have been scheduled at Pryce Plaza Hotel, on Oct. 18.

Organized by the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC), through the Mindanao Business Council (MinBC), the BIMP I-Con aims to generate viable joint venture projects involving local businessmen and with the support of their Local Chief Executives.

It will be done, in close collaboration with the Cagayan de Oro City Government, in partnership with the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Foundation, Inc., (OroChamber).

Another activity on Oct. 18 is the BIMP-EAGA Media Forum at XESCC to be participated in by
journalists, communicators and government information officers from across the four (4) EAGA countries, to discuss and forge collaborative efforts of communicating the gains and initiatives of the sub-regional cooperation.

Scheduled on the same day is the meeting of the heads of the Bureau of Customs of the BIMP-EAGA countries for the purpose of discussing priority programs and projects of the CIQS Task Force, particularly on matters pertaining to the customs sector and other bilateral CIQS arrangements at ports within the sub-region.

Meanwhile, “Oro Best,” a Northern Mindanao Agro-Industrial Trade, Tourism Fair and Exhibit to feature the best of the local products, as well, as business facilities of the region, will be held the next day, Oct. 19, at the Activity Center of SM Cagayan de Oro.

Other activities during the day include the city tour and site visits and the fellowship night, Pabillore said. (PIA-10)


DepEd-NorMin celebrates World Teachers Day with BAMBOO-3E tree growing
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Oct. 5 (PIA) – Amidst chants of jubilation for “My Teacher, My Hero,” theme of the World Teachers Day, students of Bulua National High School started today’s celebration with a tree growing activity along the Bulua River Bank, here.

The area has been planted with bamboo by Task Force “Best Action for Mobilizing Barangay Organizations for Opportunities in Education, Environment and Entrepreneurship (BAMBO-3E).”

A flagship project of DepEd, region 10, BAMBOO 3E, is a multi-sectoral approach to enhance environmental education and entrepreneurship formation among children.

“This is the 5th area being planted with bamboo by the task force, adding to the previous ones: Mambuaya, Gusa, Cugman and Iponan River Banks,” Regional Director Luz Almeda of DepEd-10, said.

A year-long activity, BAMBOO-3E commits and supports bamboo growing and caring along riverbanks, not only because its potential for preventing soil erosion, but also because of its entrepreneurial value.

Almeda, who is the Chairperson of the TF BAMBOO-3E, said the project also aims to address the concern on climate change by the schools.

She also said the task force has chosen to plant bamboo trees because of its many uses: when they become matured, they can be harvested and processed into desks, chairs, tables, cabinets, blackboards, book shelves, book stands, book ends, etc., and be utilized in schools, thus creating jobs for the community, especially, the parents of the school children.

“We want to teach the students how to take care of the environment by educating them how to plant trees, grow them and then develop their entrepreneurial skills using the bamboo as a means to sustain their lives.

“In fact, we have arranged the tree growing activities along river banks near a school to ensure that they are cared for by the students, their parents, their teachers, and the community,” as well.

Helping out in the tree-planting/tree-growing activity by preparing the seedlings and other planting materials, tree guards, etc. to ensure the growth of the bamboos and protect them from destructive animals were the following:

Parent-Teachers’ Association, the Purok/Zone leaders, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), through the Barangay Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Tourism (DOT). (PIA-10)


Cebuano news: Palasyo mikondena sa pag-atake sa mga rebelde sa Surigao (Palace condemns attacks by rebels in Surigao)
by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, October 5 (PIA) – Ang Malacañang mikondena sa gihimo nga pag-atake sa mga suspetsadong miyembro sa New People’s Army sa kompaniya sa minahan sa Surigao del Norte.

Kini usab gi-ubanan saa pag deklara nga gamiton ang kinatibuk-ang kusog sa balaod aron nga masilotan ug madala sa hustisya ang mga nagpasiugda sa naasoy nga krimen.

Si Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda mitaho sa mga reporters sa Malacañang nga ang gobyerno magpadayon sa tinguha niini alang sa kalinaw tali sa mga rebeldeng grupo.

“Atong gikondena ang brutal ug bayolente nga gihimo sa rebeldeng grupo. Apan ang kalinaw maoy mas maayo nga alternatibo sa giyera, busa naningkamot kita sa proseso alang sa kalinaw,” matud ni Lacierda.

“Atong padayunon ang atong paningkamot nga makab-ot ang negosasyon alang sa kalinaw tungod kay nagatu-o kita nga mao kana ang mas maayo nga pamaagi,” dugang sulti niya.

Miingon si Lacierda nga pagkahibalo niya sa insidente niadtong Lunes sa hapon, ang Presidente mipatawag diha-diha ug ‘Cabinet cluster meeting’ nga nagtutok sa seguridad.

Miingon siya nga gimando-an sa Presidente si Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin alang sa pagpahigayon ug ‘threat assessment’ ug pag ‘review’ sa ‘operational procedures’ aron nga mahibaw-an kinsa kadtong mga ‘vulnerable targets’ sa mga CCP-NPA-NDF.

“Usa kana sa mga paagi aron kanunay kita nga makig-alayon sa komunidad ug aron usab atong mahibaw-an daan ang mga nagkalain-laing pagsuta sa mga pagpanghulga,” matud ni Lacierda.

Iyang gipanawagan ang liderato sa NPA nga magkalma ug makigsabot sa kagamhanan aron makab-ot ang tinguha nga kalinaw.

“Mao kini ang hugot nga ‘commitment’ sa atong gobyerno o administrasyon: Atong depensahan ang atong katawhan ug ilang maseguro nga dili kita muhunong diha lamang sa pag-gukod sa mga rebelled,” matud ni Lacierda.

“Atong gipanawagan ang liderato sa CPP-NPA-NDF nga unta magmakalma sila ug isugyot nila sa ilang mga tropa isip kalabot kini sa pagmugna sa pagsalig sa kagamhanan alang sa kalinaw,” dugang sulti niya.

Ang mga suspetsadong miyembro sa NPA mi-atake sa tulo (3) ka mga ginganlan nga kompaniya sa minahan: Nickel Asia Corporation, Platinum Metals Group ug THPAL Mining Company; tanan anaa nahimutang sa Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Sumala sa mga reports, mikabat sa 200 ka mga rebelde ang nagsunog sa napulo (10) ka mga dump trucks, walo (8) ka mga backhoes, duha (2) ka mga lantsa ug usa ka guesthouse.

Ila usab gipang-ilog ang mga armas sa mga private security guards ug gipang dugmok ang mga ‘computers’ sa opisina sa maong ‘mining site’ .(NCR/PIA 10)