Camiguin Island abuzz with P51-M infra projects

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Jan 30 (PIA) -- A total of P51-million is being poured on public infrastructure projects here in this island-province.

All these constructions and improvement projects are now ongoing, like the construction of the Camiguin Tourism Center and Sport Complex getting the biggest chunk of P17.5 million.

Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said that in two years time, the province will be ready to host the next regional sports meet.

The Camiguin Tourism Center and Sports Complex in Mambajao, the capital town, will hold a basketball and volleyball court, archery area, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Romualdo added that the oval which was already laid inside the complex will be rubberized completely before summer ends, and that its drainage system is likewise being set in place.

Another priority project here is the Benoni Port Development, which is the construction of an additional ramp at an estimated cost of P7.9 million and funded by the Philippine Ports Authority.

Other infrastructure projects cover the concreting of farm-to-market-roads and improvements inside the provincial capitol complex.

Romualdo noted that from its P240-million internal revenue allotment (IRA), P40 million will be allotted, this year, for the improvement and construction of roads, especially those leading to tourist spots. (JCV-PIA 10)

Artsada celebrates Arts Month with the heart

By Marigold Cherie Garrido

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 29 -- In line with the Arts Month Celebration this year, the Artsada, a team of budding visual artists in Cagayan de Oro, is celebrating the arts month this year with various charitable art activities.

As a kick off activity, Artsada will be showcasing their skills in sketching and painting through an on the spot demonstration in collaboration with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Northern Mindanao at Limketkai Mall on February 1. The artists will be portrait sketching for mall goers for free. Some of them will also be demonstrating painting using various art media.

The highlight of the celebration will be Artsada’s participation in the Philippine Visual Arts Festival (PVAF) 2013 in Pagadian City. The team will represent, along with other local artists, the Northern Mindanao delegation to the national artfest. This will provide them the opportunity to showcase their “obras (works)” together with other artists from other regions.

On top of these events, Artsada will be joining in the various art gigs as part of the month-long celebration: Art Exhibit at 3D Exhibition Area on February 18-22 in partnership with Liga ng Barangay, Art Display at City Tourism Showhouse with Poetry Reading in collaboration with XU Devcom and City Tourism Office on February 15 and various art exhibitions in the city.

The Artsada artists are hopeful that the celebration will rouse the interests and appreciation of the Kagay-anons especially among the youth to stimulate creative young minds, engage in arts, thus, removing the opportunity to be drawn in destructive habits like alcohol and drugs.

The NCCA Northern Mindanao Visual Arts is supporting the Artsada’s advocacy. Rhyan Casino, the NCCA NM VA coordinator, appreciated the group’s initiatives in adding more vivacity in the arts scene in the region.

Artsada, as an informal art group of volunteers, intends to make a difference in the art industry in the city by bringing art education into the community particularly through sharing of technical knowledge in basic drawing and painting among the children and youth. The team’s planned projects for the year are being firmed up in collaboration with the City Tourism Office for Culture and Arts and private sectors to help promote the City’s arts and culture.

The team is composed of Bo Daclan (contemporary), Gieward Hullagno (water color), Darryl Salcedo (papercut) and Marigold Cherie Ramos-Garrido (pastel art).

Artsada is encouraging Kagay-anon artists who have the heart to share their talents at the community level and eventually develop future artists from among the youth sector. Recently, Artsada welcomed new members to the team to develop more genres in art, they are Lloyd Hinosolango (portrait), Shamae Casino (sculpture), Amalia Misa (sketching) and Mark Bailo (abstract). (MRGarrido/Artsada/PIA10)

Lanao del Norte towns receive P64M for development projects

By Rochelle D. Dagang

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 30 (PIA) -- Several Lanao del Norte conflict-affected towns received funding for its development projects. Six towns from Lanao del Norte received checks Tuesday, Jan. 29, for its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program.

Pamana is government’s peace and development framework program.

It is implemented in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

Its main strategy is to bring back government to Pamana areas, ensuring communities benefit from improved delivery of basic social services and are served by responsive, transparent, and accountable government units.

The program is implemented in 48 provinces across the country where each area will receive development programs according to the specific needs of the people residing in that region.

For 2012, the beneficiary towns of Lanao del Norte and the corresponding amount received were as follows: Kauswagan, P9.6 million; Kolambugan, P8.8 million; Poona Piagapo, P8 million; Munai, P12 million, Salvador, P12 million; and Tangcal, P12 million. The province of Lanao del Norte will also receive P1.6 million.

This fund will be for development projects in the community, anchored on one of the objectives of the program which is to reduce poverty and vulnerability in conflict-affected areas through sustainable rural development, community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services, said Rene K. Burdeos, Local Government regional director.

These six beneficiary municipalities were approved by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of the province of Lanao del Norte per PPOC Resolution No. 07 series of 2012.

The cheques were handed over by Burdeos to Governor Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo with local officials of the province of Lanao del Norte. (Rochelle D. Dagang-DILG/PIA10)

BFAR-ARMM project to assist 400 seaweed farmers

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The P1.9 million project rolled out by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BFAR-ARMM) on Monday targets to assist up to 400 seaweed farmers in the coastal town of Parang, Maguindanao.

The project is intended to provide these fishers a more sustainable livelihood as well as boost the region’s seaweed production, said BFAR-ARMM Director Janice Musali.

She said the project includes the provision of seaweed farm inputs to support 200 to 400 farmers, which will expand the 120 hectares of seaweed farm area off the coast of Parang.

The project is expected to open up an additional 50 hectares of farm area, according to Musali.

ARMM ranks first in the country in terms of seaweed production with a bulk coming from the region’s island provinces especially Tawi-Tawi.

BFAR officials estimate that the region still has around 20, 017 hectares of potential seaweed farm area.

BFAR-ARMM signed a contract with the Kilusang Magkaibigan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KMMPC) for the procurement, supply, and delivery of seaweed input materials after a bidding process.

Musali said it was the first time for their office to fully observe government procurement procedure based on Republic Act 9184 otherwise known as “An Act Providing for the Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government and for Other Purposes.”

Lawyer Mimbalawag Mangutara, finance director of ARMM governor’s office, commended BFAR-ARMM for conforming to the standing policy of the present ARMM reform government of transparency and accountability. (ARMMCommGroup/APB-PIA10)

 Parties may put up signboards in headquarters before campaign period - Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 29 (PIA) – Parties may put up a signboard announcing their headquarters not earlier than five (5) days before the start of the campaign period.

The term "party" refers to either a political party, sectoral party or a coalition of parties and party-list organizations duly registered and/or accredited with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

However, the Comelec clarified that only one (1) signboard, not exceeding three feet by eight feet (3’ x 8’) in size, identifying the place as the headquarters of the party or candidates is allowed to be displayed.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said individual candidates may put up the signboard announcing their headquarters not earlier than the start of the campaign period.

It has likewise ruled that only the legal election propaganda materials may be displayed or posted therein, during the campaign period.

On the other hand, every registered political party or sectoral organization or coalition participating in the party list system or candidate may be allowed to establish a limited number of headquarters subject to the following:

A registered party with national constituency and a national candidate may establish one headquarters in each province or highly urbanized city.

A registered political party with regional constituency may establish one headquarters in each province or highly urbanized city in the region.

Congressional candidates may be allowed to establish one headquarters in the legislative district they seek to represent.

Should their legislative district be composed of several municipalities, they may be allowed to establish one per municipality.

City candidates may be allowed to establish one headquarters per councilor district and municipal candidates may be allowed to establish one headquarters in the entire municipality.

For purposes of the May 13, 2013 elections, the campaign periods start on February 12, 2013, for candidates for Senator and Party-List groups and March 29, 2013 for candidates for Members of the House of Representatives, regional, provincial, city and municipal officials. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)