DepEd to allow use of public school buildings for election purposes

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CTY, Misamis Occidental, Feb 2 (PIA) -- Public school buildings may be used for election purposes as mandated by a Commission on Election promulgated last year.

Comelec Resolution 9598 also instructs the Department of Education (DepEd) not to hold during the election period, conferences, seminars or any school activity, which might interfere, restrict, or prevent the performance of election duties of its personnel, except upon prior written authority of the Comelec.

The resolution was promulgated last Dec. 21.

The DepEd is also expected to perform such other duties and functions which the Comelec may prescribe from time to time.

The Comelec said this deputation of the DepEd is in the interest of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the May 13 national and local elections. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Phl Red Cross to disburse calamity funds during election period – Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb 6 (PIA) -- Should a calamity or disaster occur during the March 29 to May 13 election period, fund releases normally coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall be turned over to and disbursed by the Philippine Red Cross.

The disbursements, however, will be subject to the supervision of the Commission on Audit (COA) or its representatives, except for salaries of personnel, and for such other routine and normal expenses, and for such other expenses as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may authorize after due notice and hearing,

The same provision applies to any other office in other departments of the government performing functions similar to DSWD, pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 9585 promulgated on Dec. 18, 2012.

Meanwhile, the Comelec rules state that no candidate or his or her spouse or member of his family within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity shall participate, directly or indirectly, in the distribution of any relief or other goods to the victims of the calamity or disaster.

Likewise, the Human and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and any other office in any other department of the government performing functions similar to it are prohibited to disburse funds during the campaign period.

Exception to the foregoing is the disbursement for salaries of personnel and for such other necessary administrative or other expenses as the Comelec may authorize after due notice and hearing.

On the other hand, the Comelec has enjoined the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and COA, including all its field offices, not to release or authorize the release of any appropriation, or to pass in audit payments or expenditures of public funds that may directly or indirectly be used in violation of the prohibitions stated above.

All field offices of the Comelec, including those of its deputized agenciesand citizens' arms, are directed to monitor compliance with the requirements by the local executive officers in their respective jurisdictions and submit immediately to their office a written report on any violation of said provisions of the Omnibus Election Code. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

PNoy points out role of NEDA and project implementers in achieving inclusive growth

By Peleta B. Abejo, NEDA-10

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- “The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), as the leader in economic planning and development for the entire country, is responsible for coordinating the efforts and ensuring the cooperation of all national government agencies towards achieving inclusive growth: growth that leaves no Filipino behind.”

This was the statement of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 40th anniversary of the NEDA as quoted by NEDA Director Leon M. Dacanay Jr and chairperson of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC-10) during the recent consultation-meeting with government project implementers.

The President said that the timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of the economic data that NEDA provides allow not only the national government, but the wider public including investors, to make the decisions towards the realization of inclusive growth, Dacanay said.

Thus, he urged the region’s project implementers to ensure as well the timeliness, accuracy, and truthfulness of their reports for an informed decision-making.

Meanwhile, the major project accomplishments reported during the meeting included the 94 percent Abaga-Kirahon-Maramag-Bunawan 230KV transmission project (94 percent completed) which will be the major transmission corridor for power generated from the Agus Hydro Complex.

The Laguindingan Airport Development Project has also been substantially completed except for the installation of the Air Navigation System and Support Facilities; the latter will be contracted to SKY-KR Consortium for completion in April 2014.

LADP Project Manager Edgardo J. Mangalili reported that the airport has been declared open last January 10. However, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has postponed the airport’s opening to commercial flights to April 4 or at the latest April 30 this year to give time for the airline companies to notify their passengers and clients, and for the Department of Public Works and Highways to complete road improvement works along the national highway.

RDC-10’s earlier expressed apprehension on the airport’s safety if it operates on visual flight rule through a resolution addressed to DOTC and other concerned agencies.

The DOTC is bidding out the operation and maintenance of the airport to a private entity, which will consider possible further developments to accommodate the fast increasing passenger traffic.

The existing Lumbia airport has reportedly already surpassed the 1.6 million passenger traffic projected for the Laguindingan airport by 2020. (Peleta B. Abejo, NEDA-10/APB/PIA-10))

PRO-10 completes e-Rogues’ and e-Warrant System’s Training

By Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 6 -- Facilitators from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) and Information Technology Management System (ITMS) in Camp Crame, Quezon City completed the Five-Day e-Rogues’ and e-Warrant System’s Training held at Camp Alagar, Lapasan, Cagayan De Oro City.

Two hundred thirty-four police officers with basic computer knowledge participated in the training which formally closed February 1.

PSSupt Jerry C Linsagan, Chief, Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division gave a briefing and purpose of e-Rogues’ Gallery and e-Warrant System, as part of the PNP e-Projects.

The e-rogues gallery or the Electronic Rogues Gallery database is a photo gallery of wanted criminals and other suspected law offenders posted online for easy reference by investigators and tracker teams.

The E-warrant System will likewise provide police stations faster and better access to persons with active or pending warrants of arrests anywhere in the country.

After the training, the participants were required to make use of their newly acquired knowledge and to pass it on to other police officers assigned in investigation and detective patrol. They will be assigned as encoders who will regularly update the gallery of their wanted criminals. Once entered in the computers, police stations anywhere can be able to access the database. (PSupt Ronnie Francis M Cariaga/PRO/PIA10)

DILG-10 to award outstanding 'lupons'

(contribution of DILG)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 6 -- Sixteen outstanding lupong tagapamayapa (peace committees) will be recognized today during the 2012 Regional Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives and Awards (LTIA) for their exemplary performance in resolving disputes in their respective communities.

Regional Director Rene K. Burdeos of the Department of Interior and Local Government of Region 10, said that this Award institutionalizes a system of granting economic benefits and other incentives to the Lupong Tagapamayapa that demonstrates exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots level.

The most outstanding lupons in their respective categories are: Barangay Kauswagan in Cagayan de Oro City for the Highly-Urbanized Cities category: Barangay Kalasungay in Malaybalay City for the Component Cities category; Barangay Poblacion in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte for the 1st-3rd Class Municipalities category; and Barangay Kisolon in Sumilao, Bukidnon for the 4th-6th Class Municipalities category.

Meanwhile, first and second runner-ups in their respective categories are: highly-urbanized cities – Brgy. Tubod in Iligan City; component cities – Brgy. 19 in Gingoog City and Brgy. Lower Lamac in Oroquieta City; first to third class municipalities – Brgy. Gango in Libona, Bukidnon and Brgy. Kimaya in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; and fourth to sixth class municipalities – Brgy. Poblacion in Sapad, Lanao del Norte and Brgy. Poblacion in Libertad, Misamis Oriental.

The regional finalists are the following: component cities – Brgy. Catumbalon in Valencia City, Brgy. Pangabuan in Tangub City and Brgy. Poblacion in El Salvador City; first to third class municipalities – Brgy. Poblacion in Mambajao, Camiguin; and fourth to sixth class municipalities – Brgy. San Roque in Mahinog, Camiguin.

LTIA is an annual awards program established pursuant to Executive Order No. 394 s. 1997 in recognition of the Lupong Tagapamayapa’s contribution in the promotion of the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) objective which is to strengthen the efficacy of the KP as an indigenous mediation structure capable of resolving disputes within a community, and beyond the formal courts of justice.

The regional outstanding winners will automatically qualify for the national awards. (DILG/PIA10)

DILG to conduct bottom-up-budgeting confab

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 6 -- All technical field personnel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of regions 10 and 13 will undergo an orientation workshop on the Bottom-Up-Budgeting (BUB) and Planning process in Pearlmont Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City, February 7.

BUB is an approach that will be used by concerned agencies for implementation of Fiscal Year 2014 budget preparation, taking into consideration the development needs of poor cities/municipalities as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans.

In line with the President’s “Social Contract with the Filipino People” calling for, among others, transparent, accountable and participatory governance, this program was created under Executive Order No. 43, series of 2011 by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC), the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster (GGAC) and the Economic Development Cluster, together with the DILG, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

The DILG is given the responsibility to implement the BUB Program, being the chair of the Regional Poverty Reduction Action team (RPRAT). Thus, there is a need to mobilize its field officers in order for the Department to successfully implement the BUB process and to effectively monitor the implementation of the BUB projects.

The DILG field personnel will be oriented on their roles in the BUB implementation, in their coordination efforts with the different players and stakeholders pursuant to the DBM-DILG-DSWD-NAPC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3 series of 2012, and in the provision of technical assistance to LGUs for the compliance of requirements for BUB projects.

Working together with DILG are the other members of the RPRAT: DBM as co-chair, DSWD, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Energy, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, National Electrification Administration, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (DILG/PIA10)

Law provides for justified termination of 'kasambahay'

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- An employer cannot terminate the services of a domestic worker or "kasambahay" at any time and for whatever reason.

Republic Act 10361, "An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers" otherwise known as the "Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay," only allows employers to terminate the services of a kasambahay before the expiration of their contract for just and authorized reasons.

These include misconduct or willful disobedience by the domestic worker, gross or habitual neglect or inefficiency by the domestic worker in the performance of duties, fraud or willful breach of the trust reposed by the employer, violation by the domestic worker of the terms and conditions of the employment contract, and commission of a crime or offense by the worker against the employer or any immediate member of the employer’s family, among others.

The employer is required to pay the worker an additional 15 days’ worth of wages as indemnity if the kasambahay is fired without just cause, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10 Director Johnson G. Cañete said in a press briefing on Monday.

He, however, pointed out that employers can also get indemnity once the kasambahay leaves before the end of their contract without justifiable reasons.

He said any unpaid salary due to the kasambahay not exceeding 15 days’ worth of wages shall be forfeited.

Moreover, the employer may also recover from the kasambahay costs incurred related to the deployment expenses provided that the service has been terminated within six months from the kasambahay’s employment.

If the duration of the domestic service is not determined, Cañete said the employer or the kasambahay should give notice to end the working relationship five days before the intended termination of the service. (APB-PIA 10)

  

Red Cross to gather 10,000 participants in Million Volunteer Run

By Divina M. Suson

ILIGAN CITY, Feb 6 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross–Iligan City Chapter is now aiming to draw 10,000 participants in the coming Million Volunteer Run on February 10, starting at Rizal Park (City Public Plaza) going to Franciscan Area in Barangay Sto. Rosario going back to Rizal Park.

PRC Iligan Administrator Genevieve Amodia, said they invited people from all walks of life and have already sent invitations to various public and private offices, civic organizations, and schools.

“Since this is just purely a fun run, participants can either walk or run,” said Amodia.

The interested runners can go directly to the PRC Office in Barangay Tubod to fill-up the registration form and pay the P250 registration fee. They will be given a jersey, Red Cross whistle, baller, and certificate after the run. Students will be given special prize of P100 but they will not receive jersey.

Assembly time is 5:30 a.m., the run will start at 6 a.m.

The Million Volunteer Run is a simultaneous activity nationwide where millions of volunteer runners are expected to join the cause. This aims to generate funds to be used in the series of activities of the PRC. (Divina M. Suson/City Information Office–Iligan/PIA10)

Camiguin posts 20% increase in inland fish production

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Latest regional agricultural statistics report discloses a 20 percent increase of inland fish production owing to increased fish catch of freshwater eel, carp, and mud crab.

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), farmgate prices of inland fish species still rose despite the increase of production in December 2012, as influenced by high priced marine fish species.

About 13 metric tons of grigate tuna, roundscad, skipjack, big-eyed scad, and Indian sardines were unloaded in the island’s commercial landing centers.

A 300-square meter bangus fish cage, stocked with 7,000 fingerlings was likewise noted in Lagoon, Benoni of Mahinog town.

BAS also reported the fawling and algal parasitism of seaweeds in Mantigue Island, locally known as “bungot-bungot.” a number of seaweed farms here were likewise washed away by strong currents late last year due to extreme weather conditions. (JCV-PIA)

GK-Lanao del Norte to conduct 5-day ‘Bayani’ Challenge

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Feb. 6 -- With the vision of providing decent homes for indigent residents and informal settlers, Gawad Kalinga (GK) will be launching Bayani Challenge 2013.

The nationwide volunteerism event is expecting to gather 78,000 nation builders in 39 sites of 34 provinces in the country.

Lanao del Norte is of the provinces participating in the five-day challenge starting on March 23 to 27, 2013.

The latest GK Village will soon rise in the municipality of Sapad. The coastal towns of Kapatagan, Linamon, Kolambugan, Baroy and Tubod are already beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga housing project.

However, this is the first Muslim-dominated town to be identified as GK site in Lanao del Norte.

“When it comes to helping our indigents, the provincial government will always be in the front line of helping them realize their dream of having their own house,” expressed Gov. Khalid Dimaporo.

Last April 9 to 14, 2012, more than 800 provincial employees participated in the Bayani Challenge held at Bayanihan Village, Sta. Elena, Iligan City. Twenty three families who were survivors of the deadly tropical storm Sendong personally received the keys to their new homes on May 30, 2012.

Bayani Challenge 2013 has the theme "Isang Bayani, Isang Bayanihan." This latest volunteerism movement aims to foster the bayanihan spirit and love of country by building homes, repairing schools, and doing health missions, climate change mitigation activities and many more.

“Bayani Challenge is about people coming together and challenging the ‘bayani’ in them and bringing out the hero in every Filipino,” explained GK Volunteer Provincial Coordinator Saddam Bazer.

GK-Lanao del Norte is targeting 2,000 volunteers from all over the province and nearby cities of Pagadian, Ozamiz and Iligan.

“Three (3) teams are spearheading the Bayani Challenge here in the province – Team GK, Team Lanao del Norte and Team Sapad,” Bazer added.

Volunteers can participate in five events of the Bayani Challenge – House Build, School Refurbishing, Farm Build, Paraisong Pambata and Health Mission. (VNL/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

Ozamiz City ranks first in Northern Mindanao 2013 Regional Schools PressCon

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- The Ozamiz City Schools Division (OCSD) ranked first in the 2013 Northern Mindanao Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) held at the La Sallle University Arts Center, here recently.

Sharing the top spot with OCSD was the Camiguin Schools Division, followed by Misamis Oriental, which came in 3rd, Cagayan de Oro City, 4th and Misamis Occidental, 5th in rank, respectively.

Participated in by the SPC winners of the region’s 14 schools divisions, the RSPC included the competitions for the “Best,” both in English and Filipino, in the following: News Writing, Feature Writing, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Copy Reading and Headline Writing, Sports Writing, Photojournalism, Script Writing and Radio Broadcasting and Collaborative Publishing, News Page, Feature/Literary Page, Editorial Page, Sport Page and Layout.

Meanwhile, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Rebonfamil R. Baguio of Ozamiz City, host of this year’s Region 10 RSPC, said pupils/students from OCSD bagged the following RSPC awards:

English, Elementary Level - Best in Photojournalism, Best in Script Writing and Radio Broadcasting, Best in News Script, Best in Infomercial, Best in Collaborative Publishing, Best Feature/ Literary Page and Best in Layout and Secondary Level - Best in Photojournalism.

Filipino, Elementary Level - Best in Script Writing and Radio Broadcasting, Best in News Script, Best in Infomercial, Best in Collaborative Publishing, Best Feature/Literary Page and Best Layout and Secondary Level - Best in Script Writing and Radio Broadcasting and Best in Infomercial

On the other hand, the declared Campus Journalists of Region10 for the year 2013 and the schools division where they come from are as follows:

English, Elementary Level - Jiel Intong, Best Anchor, Celine Margareth Wee, Best News Presenter and Glaiza Kate Plaza, Best in Technical Application, all from Ozamiz City.

English, Secondary Level - Cinderella Faye Obeňita, Best Anchor and Trinity May Gurrea, Best in Technical Application, both from Cagayan de Oro City.

Filipino, Elementary Level - Xenia P. Catedral, Best Anchor, Shaenna G. Segovia, Best Presenter and Roina Rica Reyes, Best in Technical Application, all from Ozamiz City.

Filipino, Secondary Level - John Andrew K. Begafria, Best Anchor, Ozamiz City and Aniemhar Cuadrasal, Best in Technical Application, Cagayan de Oro City. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Mild quake hits Bukidnon

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Feb 5 (PIA) --A mild quake rocked Maramag and Don Carlos towns, this province, at 1:01 p.m., today February 5.

Marcial Labininay, Northern Mindanao Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the tremor was recorded at Intensity II with 3.2 magnitude in Maramag and Intensity I in Don Carlos.

He said the quake’s epicenter was 7.84 km north, 124.27 km east, 9 km south and 32 km west of Maramag, Bukidnon.

“The quake, hitting only Maramag and Don Carlos, was very shallow. There were no damage or aftershocks recorded,” he said.

He also emphasized that the mild tremors that hit some areas in the country is due to several active faults in the Philippines. (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, PIA 10-Bukidnon)

Ban on public works starts March 29 – Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- Except for the maintenance of existing and or completed public works, no public funds shall be disbursed during the campaign period, from March 29 until May 13, 2013.

Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that no public official or employee including barangay officials and those of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCC) and their subsidiaries shall release, disburse or expend any public funds.

The prohibition, however, shall not apply to on-going public works projects commenced before the campaign period or similar projects under foreign agreements.

Meanwhile, such prohibition applies to any and all kinds of public works, except for the maintenance of existing and/or completed public works provided that not more than the average number of laborers or employees already employed therein during the six-month period immediately prior to March 29, 2013, shall be permitted to work during such time.

As stipulated in Comelec Resolution No. 9585, is that no additional laborers shall be employed for maintenance work starting March 29, 2013 until May 13, 2013, and that work undertaken by contract through public bidding held, or by negotiated contract was awarded, before March 29, 2013.

The Resolution also clarifies that work undertaken under the so-called "takay" or "pakyaw" system shall not be considered as work by contract.

Meanwhile, Comelec Resolution 9585 provides that payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings, specifications, bills of materials, estimates, and other procedures preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of materials and equipment, shall be made and all incidental expenses for wages of watchmen and other laborers employed for such work in the Central Office and field storehouses before March 29, 2013.

Provided, that the number of such laborers shall not be increased over the number hired when the project or projects were commenced and that emergency work was necessitated by the occurrence of a public calamity, but such work shall be limited to the restoration of the damaged facility.

Again, Comelec Resolution 9585 provides that no payment shall be made within five days before the date of election to laborers who have rendered services in projects or works except those falling under the above-mentioned conditions.

(RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Lanao del Norte, the only plus site to host PhilHealth Nationwide Run

By Lorry V. Gabule

LANAO DEL NORTE, Feb 5 (PIA) -- All is set for the province of Lanao del Norte to be a Plus Site or an additional race venue in this year’s nationwide running event on February 17 dubbed as PhilHealth Run 2013.

The province has been affiliated as a PhilHealth Run Partner Organizer, authorized to conduct local running event with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation better known as PhilHealth. So far, it is the only approved plus site by PhilHealth.

With PhilHealth as the main organizer, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), roads in 18 sites across the nation will be taken over as PhilHealth stages the first simultaneous nationwide running event.

Runners will converge in 18 major cities that include: Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Clark, Malolos, Sta. Rosa, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Butuan, and Marawi.

Lanao del Norte, through Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo, along with Representative Imelda Q. Dimaporo, had invited neighboring cities like Iligan and Ozamis to join and expects to have around 4,000 runners, more or less, said Ayesah M. Macumbal, officer-in-charge of PhilHealth Iligan branch.

Proceeds from this event will be used to support national and regional institutions promoting the protection of mothers and children in the country. At the local level, the rural health unit (RHU) of Tangkal town, Lanao del Norte, will be the beneficiary, while PhilHealth’s national beneficiary will be the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

More than just a running event, it endeavors to uphold the importance of our mother’s and children's health in the challenge of nation-building.

PhilHealth Iligan local health unit office has identified its provincial registration sites at the Provincial Information Office, provincial capitol building, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, and some PhilHealth Business Centers in Maranding, Lala and municipality of Baroy, this province.

Interested runners may also register at PHI Ozamiz, its local health office at the city proper and at PHI Business Centers in cities of Oroquieta and Tangub.

For the city of Iligan, registration sites are at the PHI Iligan Branch Office, Barangay Tubod and at Dunkin Donut main, Quezon Avenue, all of this city.

A minimal registration fee would attract runners with only P130, P180 for a distance of 3k and 5k, respectively, while P80 for 2k exclusively for indigents in Tubod town and the children participants.

Runners will converge at the world-class Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) oval grounds for the starting point, then going outside MCC for its race route and back to the center for the finish line, following a short program for the finale of the activity.

PhilHealth Iligan says "Ta-Run-A," which means let’s go and run, is an invitation to everyone to the “PhilHealth Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection,” promises to be a memorable sporting event as it aims to engage near 100,000 professional and amateur runners from different parts of the country – all running simultaneously with one aim in mind: Universal Health Care in the Philippines.

With universal coverage, every Filipino, regardless of status, is given the financial access and support to quality health care and services.

It can be recalled that drawing inspiration from the two highly successful running events organized by its regional centers in Mindanao, specifically with its First PHI Fun Run event held in Iligan City on June 11, 2011, the brain child Christine Mae Garcia- Magno, the former PHI Iligan head, successfully convened all its stakeholders in the preparations and the event was overwhelmingly participated in by almost all sectors in the society. On February 5, 2012, a Mindanao-wide Run catered by all PHI regional centers was successfully participated by all Mindanaoans.

The nationwide run on February 17, 2013 marks PhilHealth’s 18 years of service to the Filipino people, having been established in 1995 with the enactment of Republic Act 7875. (lvg/PHI Iligan/PIA10 LDN)