AFP is supportive to the framework agreement on Bangsamoro, says new 4ID Commander

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) --The newly installed chief of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division gave assurance that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is supportive of the recently signed Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. 

Major General Nestor A. Añonuevo, Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division newly installed Commander during the change of command ceremony at the Camp Edilberto Grandstand on November 6 said “ the AFP is supportive and will continue to contribute to the successful conclusion of the peace process with our Moro countrymen.” 

MGen. Añonuevo emphasized the entire AFP hopes that other rebel groups see the same peaceful way of resolving political differences for the benefit of the nation. 

On October 15, 2012, the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which will pave the way for the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

The signing held in Malacanang Palace was witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, and other dignitaries. 

Meanwhile, MGen. Añonuevo said peace and security is a problem which can only be solved by a united citizenry bonded together for a common goal toward harmony and peace for the whole country. 

He added that the AFP, through its Internal Peace and Security Plan or the IPSP Bayanihan, aims to call for a whole nation approach for achieving peace especially in Mindanao. 

It recognizes that the people are the object for security with stakeholders particularly the local and national government units’ involvement to obtain its objective. (Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat/PIA10)

US Embassy hosts first Election Watch Program in CdeOC

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The United States Embassy in partnership with History/ International Studies/ Political Science Department of Xavier University held a US Election Watch Program at the University’s Magis Center today. 

The program featured a live feed of CNN election coverage and a mock election. 

A total of 951 students from the City’s National High Schools, Xavier University and Liceo de Cagayan University participated in the mock election and 74% of the votes went to Pres. Barack Obama. 

William Cocks, US Embassy Representative said the real strength of the United States like the Philippines is their democracy. He said, they have created the mock election with the aim to give the participants a chance to vote on who they’ve wanted the next president of the United States to be. 

“We’re here talk to you about the election not about who we want to vote for but about the democratic process, about what the election means for our country and we can also talk about our offices,” Cocks said. 

Dr. Roel Absin, Chair for History/ I.S./ PSC Department, conferred that the activities conducted such as the 2012 mock debate and US Presidential Elections countdown will aid them in preparing their primary beneficiaries—the students in Northern Mindanao to bigger challenges. 

With this specific vision, Absin said that “everyone’s attention is focused in setting a premium on the exercise of the right of suffrage not only to promote the US Elections and Electoral System but also to instill the value of the exercise of their liberty and duty to elect the governors and the government and for them to attend to the challenge--the challenge to earn an unyielding understanding on various socio-cultural, economic and political issues, issues on health, resource regeneration and reserves investments, foreign debt, security and leadership involvements.” 

Through the activities, the US embassy in Manila particularly in public affairs section in partnership with Xavier University pursues its mandate--the promotion of a democratic system. The activity also became the venue for letting students understand a platform or contention on diverse issues which is noted as a commendable act of a wise electorate. 

The US Election Watch Program and mock election is conducted by the US Embassy in 15 universities in the Philippines simultaneously. (Recthie T. Paculba/PIA10)

ARMM legislative body backs declaration of MSU as ‘zone of peace’

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has passed a resolution supporting the call to declare Mindanao State University (MSU) as a ‘zone of peace.’ 

The resolution, entitled “Supporting the MSU to be Formally Declared as a Zone of Peace,” was one of the three resolutions adopted by the legislative body on November 6, said Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis. 

Such resolution was passed after a fire incident at the Mindnolia Net Café in the MSU commercial center on the morning of October 25 resulted in the death of café owner and MSU Philosophy Professor, Othello Cobal, and student assistant Erwin Diaz. 

Campuses should remain safe haven for students where teaching and learning could continue unhindered in an atmosphere free of violence and interference, the resolution stated. 

In August this year, an ambush occurred inside the vast MSU main campus where three members of the 103rd Infantry Brigade were slain. 

These series of events triggered perceptions of insecurity and instability in the campus that need intervention from the different stakeholder, the resolution further stated. 

Tomawis said copies of the resolution will be furnished to the MSU System President and Board of Regents, the provincial and city governments, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process. 

Prior to the adoption of the resolution by the RLA, a multi-sectoral organization in the province passed a resolution calling for the formal declaration of MSU as a zone of peace. 

The Multi-Sectoral Cooperation for Peace was formed during the security stakeholders’ dialogue convened by Assemblywoman Tomawis on November 2 to respond to security issues in the MSU main campus. (APB/PIA-10)

MDRRMC recommends a state of calamity for flooded areas

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) here, has passed a resolution recommending to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), the declaration of a state of calamity in areas greatly affected by the recent floods. 

The floods was due to the heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Ofel, last October 24-25, causing the Usogan River to overflow and submerged the rice fields of at least seven barangays, namely: Lilo-an, Lower Usogan, Linconan, Tiaman, Bolinsong, D. Fernan and Digson. 

In his report to Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, Chairperson of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) through Gain Paul de Barras, PDRRMC Officer, Mayor Samson R. Dumanjug said damage to government projects and properties due to the floods was estimated at P21.4 million. 

But even though no casualties and injuries were reported, about 704 families with 3,520 members were affected by floods, of which 136 families with 562 members were temporarily housed in evacuation centers, Dumanjug said. 

Meanwhile, Dumanjug, who is also the Chairperson of the MDRRMC, said the lack of pump boats and rubber boats hampered the immediate response in rescue operations during the flooding incident. 

It was also observed that during the conduct of these operations, some residents were adamant to evacuate and leave their houses because they were afraid of losing their properties, livestock, and other valuable things, which they would leave behind. 

Helping out in the rescue operations were members of the Misamis Occidental Search and Rescue Tem (MOSART), Ozamiz City Search and Rescue Team (OCSART), Philippine National Police (PNP), medical teams and social workers of the municipality who were dispatched immediately to the evacuation centers for the needed relief items of the victims. 

On the other hand, Dumanjug has recommended that the necessary equipment and tools for this type of hazard must be procured immediately, because flood will likely occur anytime. 

This is because all water from the neighboring province of Zamboanga del Sur will be drained out to the Usogan River, which traverses the municipality of Bonifacio, passing though these affected barangays before it discharges to Panguil Bay, Dumajug added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Motorcycle helmet evaluation in November for surnames beginning in P-Z--DTI

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Nov 8 (PIA)—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Lanao del Norte continues to process application for Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker for motorcycle helmets. 

Provincial Director Ruel B. Paclipan, DTI Lanao del Norte, said applicants with last names starting with letters P to Z will be accommodated this November. Although letters A-F and G-O were scheduled last September and October, respectively, helmet owners belonging to the A-F batch could still apply until November 29 only. The month of December is reserved for institutional applicants. 

The DTI began accepting applications based on the letter coding scheme last September 2012. 

The letter coding scheme is part of the DTI's effort to facilitate inspection of helmet and avoid long queues as helmet owners beat the year-end rush. 

Paclipan urged motorcycle riders not to miss out on their schedules so as not to pay fines that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall impose to riders wearing helmets without the Philippine Standard (PS) or the ICC mark by 01 January 2013. 

Based on the Republic Act (R.A.) 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act, any person caught not wearing the standard protective helmet shall be punished with a fine of P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense and P5,000, for the third offense. Fourth offense shall be meted with a P10,000 fine and confiscation of driver’s license. (DTI-LDN/lvg/PIA 10-LDN)

5^th Dimaporo Sportsfest opens at Lala town

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Nov. 8 -- More than 4,000 students attended the opening ceremony of the fifth Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo Inter-High School Sports Festival held at Christ the King College de Maranding on November 7. 

The three-day sporting event was opened by Gov Dimaporo who is also a well-known advocate for sports and healthy lifestyle. 

The formal program included a banner-raising ceremony by the eight participating schools and a torch relay carried out by the school principals, Lala mayor Allan Lim, SB member Cesar Yap Jr. and the governor. Dimaporo also led the lighting of the games cauldron. 

This year’s theme, “Strengthening the bond, building a society of peace and unity through sports,” captures the provincial leaders’ aim of making sports an effective tool for peace-building and not merely a form of entertainment. 

The annual Inter-School sportsfest is sponsored by the provincial government under the "Kabataan Sigurado" program of Dimaporo in cooperation with the Lala LGU. 

Among the participating schools this year are the Christ the King College de Maranding, Lala National High School, Lanao School of Science and Technology Inc., Lanipao Catholic School, Bible Baptist Christian Academy, Integrated Rural Academy, Simpak Academy Institute of Technology, and North Central Mindanao College. 

Sporting events include basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, sepak takraw, and chess. 

To add color to activity, a search for Mr. and Ms. Inter-High 2012 will also be conducted on the last day of the competition. (KHMJ & VNL/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

IPSP Bayanihan is key factor to achieve peace in the nation, says 4ID Commander

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 8 (PIA) -- The IPSP Bayanihan or the Internal Peace and Security Plan is a major factor to achieve peace in the country especially in the conflict areas of Mindanao. 

This was the statement of the newly appointed commander of the army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Major General Nestor A. Añonuevo, during his speech at the Change of Command Ceremony on November 6, 2012 at Camp Edilberto Evangelista, this city. 

IPSP Bayanihan is a transformation from traditional military operations encompassing armed tactics to civil military campaigns with emphasis on community involvement to attain long lasting peace. In a brief interview, the new commander hopes he gains the confidence of the Filipino people and become hand in hand in this new way of pursuing harmony in the nation. 

MGen. Añonuevo discussed the importance of the coming together and cooperation of national and local government units, media and all stakeholders to aid to this objective without the use of physical force to gain sustainable peace and development. 

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be supportive to the ongoing peace process with the Moro people. The recent signing of the framework agreement for the Bangsamoro will hopefully enlighten other rebel groups to see the same peaceful way of resolving political differences across the nation. (PIA10)

Senior Citizen’s Center in Ozamiz receives DSWD Accreditation Award

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Senior Citizen’s Center (SCC) in Ozamiz City is now accredited as an institution managed by the senior citizens implementing programs and services for themselves and other SCs. 

This is cited in the congratulatory note that Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez received from Thelsa P. Biolena, Social Welfare director of central office in Manila. 

Biolena said the DSWD Field Office-10 will be coordinating with her office on the schedule for the Awarding of the Ozamiz City SCC’s Certificate of Accreditation in a fitting ceremony. 

Meanwhile, Biolena has cited the achievements of Ludie Salud A. Raras, City SWD officer for the SCC accreditation assessment that earned its new status, among which are the following: 

The SCC vision, mission and objectives have inspired the officers to work towards meeting its goals to mainstream the SC’s to society where their contributions/ potentials are recognized/maximized. 

The SC’s volunteer resource project has been established which contribute in strengthening the information campaign on public awareness by training and mobilizing older persons as volunteers to assist in the implementation of various DSWD programs. 

The National Search for the Most Outstanding Older Persons or “Ulirang Nakatatanda Award,” an award which is also given to the most outstanding SC has been done on a yearly basis. 

As part of their socialization, benefit dance and competitions, among the SCs, are regularly held, such as, singing, dancing, most beautiful lolas (grandmas) and handsome lolos (grandads), as a motivation/inspiration to embrace their social, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual lives. 

Annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week has been institutionalized, where each SC receives a trophy and an award of chrome medallion with their names engraved in it, while tri-media campaigns are done during the period to strengthen the information campaign on the SC’s right and privileges. 

Likewise, seminars, lectures and/or symposia on gerontology, family health, positive family values, nutrition and trainings on care-giving and physical fitness, have been done, regularly, at the SCC. (RCA-PIA10, Misamis Occidental)